(NewsNation) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced a salmonella outbreak after 95 individuals fell ill following the consumption of recalled cage-free eggs distributed in California and Nevada.
The Food and Drug Administration issued a recall on Wednesday for large brown “Sunshine Eggs” from the company Country Eggs. On Thursday, the CDC confirmed the outbreak, impacting 14 states.
“The CDC, FDA, and public health officials in several states are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to eggs,” stated the CDC.
The individual cartons were branded as Nagatoshi Produce, Misuho, and Nijiya Markets, featuring the code No. CA 7695. These eggs were distributed to grocery stores and food service distributors in California and Nevada between June 16 and July 9.
The majority of cases are concentrated in California, with 73 individuals affected, while three cases were reported in Nevada. The remaining cases are distributed across Washington state, Minnesota, Arizona, New Mexico, Nebraska, Iowa, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Hawaii.
Eighteen people have been hospitalized.
“The true number of sick individuals is likely much higher than the reported figure,” noted the CDC alert. “This is because many people recover without seeking medical care and are not tested for Salmonella.”
Production of the eggs has been suspended, and the FDA is investigating the source of the salmonella.
Consumers who purchased the eggs should return them to the store where they were bought for a refund or dispose of them. Businesses should not sell or serve the recalled eggs. The CDC recommends cleaning surfaces the eggs may have touched with hot soapy water.
Salmonella is a bacterial infection caused by eating raw or uncooked meat or eggs. Symptoms, which begin six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria, include:
- Fever higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit
- Diarrhea for more than three days without improvement
- Bloody diarrhea
- Excessive vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Signs of dehydration, such as infrequent urination and dry mouth
Most people recover without treatment after four to seven days.
