UPDATE – Salmonella Outbreak in Texas

As of October 14, 2021, 149 TEXANS have been infected with Salmonella Oranienburg according to the CDC.

This is the most of any state in the country. Unfortunately, the investigation has not yet identified a food linked to the illness.

The CDC also announced that a total of 592 people have been infected with Salmonella Oranienburg from a total of 36 states. Texas accounts for 25% of the infections nationally.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 31, 2021 – September 29, 2021.

The FDA and CDC are narrowing-in on the following food items as a possible source of the outbreak:

• Yellow Onions
• White Onions
• Roma Tomatoes
• Limes
• Cilantro
• Jalapenos

Sick people range in age from less than 1 year to 97 years, with a median age of 36, and 56% are female. Of 363 people with information available, 32% have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.

The true number of sick people in an outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella.

Additionally, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3-4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

If you reside in North Texas and have exhibited symptoms over the past several months such as bloody diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps lasting 4-7 days,  please contact your local county health department immediately:

• Dallas County – Dallas County Health and Human Services –  2377 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75207 – 214-819-2000
• Tarrant County – Tarrant County Public Health – 1101 S. Main St., Ft. Worth, TX 76104 – 817-321-4700
• Collin County – Collin County Health Care Services – 825 N. McDonald St., Suite 130
  McKinney, TX 75069 – 972-548-4436