5 Oahu Salmonella Cases
Linked To Peanut Recall
Source of Article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29300207/
Health Officials Urge Residents To Check Recall List
updated 11:15 p.m.
PT, Fri., Feb. 20, 2009
HONOLULU -
The state Department of Health has reported five cases of salmonella
poisoning in Hawaii
that is linked with a nationwide outbreak stemming from tainted peanut
products. However, it said none of the local cases has a verifiable exposure
to the products on the recall list.
The
five confirmed cases are all on Oahu and
those affected range in age from 5 years old to 77 years old, KITV reported.
One person was
hospitalized.
Officials
said the first case was reported on Nov. 30 and the latest case was reported
on Jan. 30.
Health
officials said more than 2,000 peanut products have been voluntarily recalled
by more than 200 companies nationwide -- and the list grows daily.
The
Health Department said it believes only about 15 percent of the recalled
products are shipped to Hawaii.
"But
we don't know the full extent ourselves. We're still working on that. So, we
just, as a precaution, let the public know as much as we know so far,"
said Larry Lau with the Hawaii Department of Health. "A major concern is
it may be possible tainted peanut products could be on your shelf."
"The
five cases that have been identified to date were analyzed at our state
laboratories division and the results have shown that they're genetically
related to the outbreak strain on the mainland," said Becky Kanenaka, DOH Food Borne Surveillance and Response
Coordinator.
The
Health Department said it has inspectors working with retailers to keep them
updated on recalled products as well.
Officials
recommend that residents check the peanut products they have before eating
them and discard products found on the recall list. That includes cookies,
crackers, cereal, candy and ice cream, as well as snacks for pets.
Officials
said the broad and growing range of recalled products makes pinpointing the
cause slow.
Symptoms
of salmonella infection are similar to the stomach flu, but usually include
fever.
People
who think they may have become ill from eating peanut products should call
their doctor.
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