Sixty-four people across 22 states have gotten sick with the same strain of
Salmonella, and health officials are linking the illnesses too raw
oysters. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating
the outbreak.
Most people reported eating raw oysters at restaurants before getting sick.
Illnesses have been reported from November 2023 through February 2024.
The oysters were harvested from multiple locations in the Gulf Coast. The CDC
is working with state health officials and the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) to determine where the oysters were harvested and to prevent more
people from getting sick.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Stomach cramps
Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after infection and last 4 to 7
days.Most people recover without treatment. Though, some people may need
to be hospitalized.
What you can do to protect yourself:
-
Do not eat raw oysters. Thoroughly cook oysters before eating them.Cooking reduces the risk of getting sick.
-
If you have eaten raw oysters and develop symptoms of Salmonella
infection, see a doctor.
The CDC will provide updates as more facts becomes available.
Media Contact:
CDC Press Office
media@cdc.gov
CDC Investigates Multistate Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Oysters
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections, with a public health notice now available at https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/outbreaks/oysters-12-25/index.html.
Key Points
- Sixty-four people across 22 states have been sickened with the same strain of Salmonella. Twenty people required hospitalization, but no deaths have been reported.
- Hospitalization rates in this outbreak are higher than typically seen in Salmonella outbreaks.
The CDC is working with state and local health officials to determine the source of the outbreak and prevent further illnesses.
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