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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Media Inquiries: 301-827-6250 |
The Food and Drug Administration has been alerted to a recent increase in Salmonellosis cases by the Oregon Public Health Services possibly associated with the consumption of raw sprouts.
To date, six cases of Salmonella have been reported possibly linked to the consumption of sprouts. It is not clear what type of sprouts were the cause of the illnesses.
In light of this outbreak, FDA is reiterating its previous alerts about eating raw sprouts. Those persons who wish to reduce the risk of foodborne illness from sprouts are advised not to eat raw sprouts. This advice is particularly important for children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems, all of whom are at high risk of developing serious illness due to foodborne disease. People in high-risk categories should not eat raw sprouts.
Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis (swelling of the lining the heart) and arthritis. Most cases resolve without the need for medical attention.
FDA will provide additional information as it becomes available.
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This is a mirror of the page at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2003/NEW00984.html
Additional Information about Sprouts
