Mainly children ill in French Salmonella outbreak

Almost 50 people are sick in France with Salmonella infections after eating a type of dry cured sausage from Spain.

In total, 45 people have been affected including 27 children. All sick people interviewed so far mentioned eating fuet before onset of symptoms.

Strains of monophasic Salmonella typhimurium sharing the same genetic characteristics were identified between June 24 and July 15 by the National Reference Center for Salmonella. This means they are likely to be from the same source.

The link with consumption of fuet produced by the Spanish company Embutidos Caula SL was made by the General Directorate of Food (DGAL), General Directorate of Health and Santé Publique France.

All batches and dates of fuet sold under different brand names that are marked ES 10.01865/GE CE have been withdrawn from sale or recalled.

Authorities advised people who have the affected products that they should not consume them and recommended they be returned to the place of purchase.

In July and August 2020, 42 people fell sick in France in another monophasic Salmonella typhimurium outbreak traced to fuet from Spain. Children were also sick in this incident that was linked to a company in Spain called Embutidos Sola.

About Salmonella
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has eaten any recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions. Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

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