Winnebago County Health Department reports two cases of Salmonella

From press release

The Illinois Department of Public Health and local health departments throughout the state are investigating the cause of Salmonella illnesses among customers who ate at certain Subway restaurants in Illinois. To date, 60 cases of Salmonella have been confirmed with this outbreak and all are recovering, of which 17 had been hospitalized. The specific type of Salmonella involved in this outbreak is a rare serotype called Hvittingfoss. Typically, only one to two cases of this type of Salmonella are seen in Illinois per year.

The Winnebago County Health Department is reporting two confirmed case of Salmonella ser. Hvittingfoss, which is linked to cases throughout the state, as reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Winnebago County Health Department are currently investigating the possible sources of the bacteria, which may not be related to any Subways in the county, and other areas of Illinois. As an added precaution, the Winnebago County Health Department Food Inspectors on Friday, June 4, 2010, went to local Subway restaurants as part of the investigation,” said Sue Fuller, Winnebago County Health Department public information officer.

Salmonella cases identified in this outbreak reported eating at Subway locations in 22 counties. Illnesses are reported to have started between May 11-25, and cases range in age from 2 to 88 years.

Although there has been no positive or confirmed association with a specific product, the Subway restaurant chain has voluntarily withdrawn all lettuce, green peppers, red onion and tomatoes, from the suspected dates from its restaurants and has replaced the product with new, fresh produce. The Subway brand will continue to work with the Illinois Department of Public Health and local health departments to assist in pinpointing the exact cause of the outbreak.

Symptoms of Salmonellosis (illness caused by Salmonella bacteria) include diarrhea, vomiting, fever and/or stomach cramps. Illness usually develops within six to 72 hours after being exposed to Salmonella bacteria and generally lasts three to seven days. Some individuals who are infected may have no symptoms at all but may still transmit the Salmonella bacteria to others. The spread of Salmonella from person to person may be avoided by careful hand washing with soap and water, particularly after using the restroom.

The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Winnebago County Health Department encourages anyone experiencing gastrointestinal illness within six to 72 hours after eating at Subway restaurants in Illinois on or after May 10, 2010, to contact their health care provider for treatment and testing. For more information about Salmonellosis, visit the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Web site at http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbsam.htm, or the Winnebago County Health Department at www.wchd.org.