Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Health District confirms local salmonella case

The Southern Nevada Health District has confirmed one local case of salmonella saintpaul, linked to the current outbreak that has affected 1,000 people nationwide.

There are a total of 11 cases reported in Nevada, most of which are in Northern Nevada, health officials said.

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The health district receives more than 100 cases a year of salmonella infection on average, health officials said.

In the current outbreak, federal health investigators first suspected tomatoes, but are also testing peppers and other foods. The source of the salmonella saintpaul strain has not been found.

People who are infected with salmonella frequently develop symptoms including diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after exposure to the bacteria. The illness typically lasts four to seven days and most people recover without treatment.

However, some patients require hospitalization due to severe dehydration caused from diarrhea. One cancer patient in Texas is believed to have died from complications from Salmonella infection during this current outbreak, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Not all people infected with salmonella develop symptoms, but they can become a source of infection.

Salmonella bacterial are found in the intestines of people and animals. The bacteria is typically transmitted by people eating contaminated food, usually from animals, such as eggs, beef, poultry or raw milk. Recent outbreaks have included uncooked fruits and vegetables.

An infected person can spread the illness for several days or months, health officials said. People with diarrhea should stay home from school, work or childcare until the diarrhea stops.

Hand washing and washing fruits and vegetables can help prevent the spread of salmonella.

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