Health officials in the United States are investigating a significant Salmonella outbreak connected to the consumption of raw oysters, which has left dozens of people ill across multiple states.
Scale of the Outbreak and State-by-State Impact
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced this week that it is probing the incident, with 64 confirmed cases reported across 22 different states. Among those affected, 20 individuals have required hospitalisation. No fatalities have been reported in connection with the outbreak at this time.
The state hardest hit is Pennsylvania, which has recorded 10 cases. New York has reported seven illnesses, while both New Jersey and Virginia have seen six cases each. Other impacted states include Florida with three cases, and California and Texas with two each.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Health Warning
Officials have cautioned that the true number of people infected may be much higher than current figures suggest, and the outbreak might not be limited to the states already reporting known illnesses. The investigation, which is being conducted jointly by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is working to identify a common source for the contaminated oysters. No product recall has been issued yet.
The cases emerged over a considerable period, with illness onset dates ranging from 21 June to 28 November. In interviews, 74% of the sick individuals reported eating raw oysters in the week before they began to feel unwell.
Understanding Salmonella Risks and Safety Advice
Salmonella is a bacterial infection typically spread through contaminated food. Symptoms, which include diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps, usually begin between six hours and six days after ingestion. Most healthy people recover without specific treatment within four to seven days.
However, the CDC stresses that vulnerable groups—such as young children, adults over 65, and those with weakened immune systems—can develop severe illnesses that may necessitate medical treatment or hospital care.
In light of the outbreak, health authorities are urging the public to take precautions. They emphasise that hot sauce and lemon juice do not kill the germs on oysters. The only sure way to reduce the risk of food poisoning from oysters is to cook them thoroughly before consumption.
