Factory farming meat ALERT: Once again sickens more than a dozen people, and even kills one

(NaturalHealth365) In another disturbing example from the world of mass-market factory farming, a recent Salmonella outbreak has affected people in at least four states in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.

According to a statement released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), over a dozen people fell ill after consuming chicken products distributed by a leading US kosher poultry company, Empire Kosher.

Sadly, 1 person from New York passed away from their illness, and another 8 required hospitalization. In total, 17 cases were reported among the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland over the course of ten months, from September 2017 to June of this year.

High risk from factory farming: What it’s like to get sick from Salmonella

Salmonella bacteria are normally found within the digestive tracts of animals including chicken, fish, and cows. This bacteria can also be transmitted from flies to animals.

Salmonella is responsible for one of the most common types of food-borne illnesses, which affects up to 19,000 Americans per year. Formally known as salmonellosis, this illness develops when a person ingests or comes in contact with meat or animal products that have been infected by a Salmonella bacterial strain.

If you fall ill with salmonellosis, you’ll almost definitely notice it. Usually, symptoms develop within 1 to 3 days after the initial exposure and include:

• Abdominal cramping
• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Bloody stool
• Vomiting
• Chills
• Muscle aches

A typical illness lasts anywhere from 4 to 7 days. Because Salmonella poisoning causes so much diarrhea, an afflicted person can easily become dehydrated – sometimes dangerously so.  Symptoms of dehydration include low urine output, dark colored urine, dry mouth, and decreased energy.

Most people recover from salmonellosis without hospitalization or former treatment. But certain people, including children under the age of 5, adults over the age of 65, and anyone with a compromised immune system, are at a much greater risk for severe illness.

Additionally, some research has suggested that falling ill with salmonellosis may increase your risk for future gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).  Plus, the Salmonella bacteria can live in your intestines even after your symptoms go away, which means if you aren’t practicing good hand hygiene after using the bathroom, you could be putting other people at risk for infection.

How to protect yourself and your family from a Salmonella outbreak

It’s normal for animals to have germs, bacteria, and other types of microbes. But if food safety practices aren’t strictly enforced, these organisms can lead to an outbreak human illness.

Unfortunately, factory farming often creates a virtual breeding ground for such organisms, given that animals tend to be held in such close quarters and under significant duress. Some strains of Salmonella are even becoming resistant to antibiotics – an alarming trend that could make treating salmonellosis extremely difficult.

To protect your family from potentially deadly food-borne illnesses like Salmonella poisoning, use common sense when handling meat and animal products.  Wash your hands (as well as any surfaces or utensils) before and after they come in contact with raw meat or poultry.

Cook meat thoroughly and thaw frozen meat in the fridge.  And, although not often mentioned, it would be best to ‘know your source’ – when it comes to making food purchases.  And, buy only from reputable farmers (or companies) that offer 100% grass-fed or pasture raised meat products.

Obviously, if you do develop signs and symptoms of food poisoning, contact your doctor right away.

Sources used for this article include:

NYtimes.com
Healthline.com
CDC.gov
USDA.gov
Foodpoisonjournal.com