Salmonella bacteria cause over 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalisations, and 420 deaths in the United States every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is often sourced from food. According to Mayo Clinic, the bacteria live in animal and human intestines and are shed through feces. Humans become infected through contaminated water or food.

The early symptoms of the illness include diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps within 72 hours of catching it. They could last anywhere between two to seven days. 

The disease primarily attacks the intestinal tract. In fact, the diarrhoea could even lead to dehydration, resulting in the need for immediate hospitalisation in some cases. Furthermore, if the infection spreads beyond the intestines, it could become life-threatening. 

Following are the causes of the infection:

Raw meat, poultry and seafood

Raw eggs

Fruits and vegetables washed with contaminated water

Salmonella outbreak has been reported across 37 states in the United States that has left hundreds sick. CDC has linked the outbreak to onions imported from Mexico.

According to a notice published by the United States Food and Drug Administration in August this year, Avanti Frozen Foods Private Limited India, which processes and sells seafood products, had agreed to recall its shrimp products. However, due to increasing cases, a new recall alert was issued, that read, “This recall expansion has been initiated out of an abundance of precaution and will cover a large amount of product that has not been associated with any illness but been undertaken following discussions with FDA and CDC and reflects Avanti’s commitment to Public health and safety.” 

A statement released earlier by the frozen food company Avanti read, “A large amount of product that has not been associated with any illness but [has] been undertaken after deliberations with federal authorities such as the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.”