US health agencies investigate growing outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections

WASHINGTON -- The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating a multi-state growing outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections, according to a release of CDC on Tuesday.

A specific food, grocery store, or restaurant chain has not been identified as the source of this outbreak, said the CDC.

Health officials are interviewing ill people to ask them about foods they ate in the week before they got sick and any other exposures as they work to identify the source of these illnesses.

The outbreak was first identified on July 10, with 13 ill people reported from three states. Over the next 10 days, the outbreak grew to a total of 125 ill people reported from 15 states.

So far, 24 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported, according to the CDC.

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 6 hours to 6 days after being exposed to the bacteria, according to the CDC.

The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. Children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe illness, said the CDC.