Along with seventy-six other people in 26 states across the nation, including one death in Northern California, a young Oklahoma County girl under the age of five is among those affected by a salmonella outbreak caused by tainted ground turkey.
The state’s Communicable Disease division Director Laurence Burnsed said the child (whose case was reported by her physician) suffered cramping and diarrhea for approximately two weeks, did not need hospitalization, and has now fully recovered. According to current data, this is the only reported Oklahoma case associated with the outbreak but the situation is being monitored.
Intermittent infections of Salmonella Heidelberg began to appear in March, cited by the country’s food-borne illness monitoring system. An official examination didn’t start until May 23, when the increase in cases involving that specific bacteria strain became clear. Around July 18, the U.S. Department of Agriculture began to find evidence that ground turkey tied to the nationwide infections originated from corporate meat titan Cargill Inc. However, government officials said they lacked the sufficient proof necessary to warrant a mass recall. Consumers were issued a stock health advisory cautioning that fresh or frozen ground turkey products should be cooked to 165 degrees, and preparers should wash their hands and keep products separate and cold.
On Wednesday August 3, Cargill voluntarily recalled 36 million pounds of fresh and frozen ground turkey after evidence showed the firm’s Springdale, AR, plant was linked to the infections. Cargill representatives said the company was halting production of ground turkey at the Sprindale plant until it could pinpoint and alleviate the contamination.
Food contaminations are difficult to track and contain, as tainted products may still be in many consumers’ freezers, and it can take weeks before an individual reports getting sick. If you’ve become ill due to food or product contamination in Oklahoma due to a manufacturer’s negligence, contact the Oklahoma City dangerous product lawyers at The Maples Law Firm for assistance. Call (405) 705-5050 for a free consultation.
