February 24, 2009
Salmonella Cases in Montana Linked to National Outbreak
Consumers Encouraged to Dispose of Recalled Products
Montana now has two cases of Salmonella Typhimurium infection related to the national peanut butter product outbreak, according to Bonnie Barnard, communicable disease surveillance epidemiologist for the Department of Public Health and Human Services.
Two adults from Hill County, one of whom is believed to have eaten one of the peanut butter cracker products that are epidemiologically linked to the outbreak, became ill on January 26, 2009 and February 2, 2009. The individuals were not hospitalized and have made a full recovery.
The numbers of new cases nationwide have declined modestly since the peak in December. “However, the outbreak is continuing,” Barnard said. “All Montanans are encouraged to dispose of recalled products, particularly peanut butter containing crackers on the recall list. It’s important for consumers to look in all places where these products may be stored, including emergency food supplies, automobile glove compartments, etc.”
To help consumers identify affected products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated a searchable database of recalled products that is updated daily or as additional recalls are identified. To date, more than 2,100 products in 17 categories have been voluntarily recalled by more than 200 companies, and the list continues to grow. The searchable database, with names and pictures of the products, of recalled products can be accessed at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm For those without Internet access, information can be obtained at 1-800-CDCINFO (232-4636.)
National brands of jarred peanut butter sold in grocery stores have not been implicated in this outbreak; only peanut butter containing products.
As of Thursday, February 19, 2009, 654 persons infected with the outbreak strain of SalmonellaTyphimurium have been reported from 44 states. Among the persons with confirmed, reported dates available, illnesses began between September 1, 2008 and February 3, 2009. Patients range in age from less than 1 to 98 years. Infection may also have contributed to nine deaths. These numbers do not include the two Montana cases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), FDA and DPHHS are recommending that:
- Consumers who have recalled products in their homes should discard those products.
- Consumers should avoid eating all peanuts and peanut products produced at the Peanut Corporation of America plant in Blakely GA per the recall list.
- Consumers with pets should know that some pet foods and pet treats include peanut butter, including dog biscuits and bird food. If you have a recalled pet product in your household, do not feed it to your pet or other animals.
Salmonella can cause abdominal cramping, diarrhea and fever usually lasting four to seven days. People who think they may have become ill from eating peanut butter are advised to consult their health-care providers.
For more information, contact Barnard at (406) 444-0273.
For more information go the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium/update.html or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website at http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html.
Or, visit the DPHHS home page at www.dphhs.mt.gov.
Page last updated: 02/24/2009
