Alabama salmonella outbreak up to 14 confirmed cases
In a follow-up to a report Monday, as part of the Alabama Department of Public Health’s continuing investigation of a foodborne disease outbreak in Russellville, the Bureau of Clinical Laboratories has confirmed 14
specimens that are positive for Salmonella.
Salmonella image/CDC
People who reported gastrointestinal illnesses after eating food prepared at El Patron restaurant in Russellville on June 4 and 5 were interviewed. None of those interviewed are hospitalized. Final test results will be available at a later date. As of June 20, El Patron remains closed.
Salmonella is typically a food-borne illness acquired from contaminated raw poultry, eggs, and unpasteurized milk and cheese products. Thorough cooking kills Salmonella. Food may also become contaminated by the hands of an infected food handler who did not wash hands with soap after using the bathroom.
Salmonella may also be found in the feces of some pets, especially those with diarrhea, and people can become infected if they do not wash their hands after contact with pets or pet feces. Reptiles, such as turtles, lizards, and snakes, are particularly likely to harbor Salmonella.
Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hoursafter infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
