D. Charles Hunt, the state’s epidemiologist and director of the health department’s office of surveillance and epidemiology, will chat live on LJWorld.com about the seemingly ever-widening salmonella outbreak. So far, victims of the outbreak — linked to peanuts — have been four in 43 states, including Kansas. Bring questions about how this happens, if there’s still a danger in peanut products and anything else you want to know.

Moderator

Hello and welcome to our LJWorld.com chat about the salmonella outbreak. We have with us Charlie Hunt, the state’s epidemiologist. He’s ready to answer any questions you have about the outbreak and salmonella in general. Welcome Charlie!

Interim State Epidemiologist D. Charles Hunt

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today. I would like to acknowledge Sheri Anderson, our foodborne disease epidemiologist, who has joined and will be assisting me today.

Moderator

We’re a couple minutes before 10:30 but let’s go ahead and get started. Charlie, can you give us the latest information about the outbreak? Do we think it’s ending and there’s less to be worried about?

Interim State Epidemiologist D. Charles Hunt

As of February 2nd, there have been 550 cases in 43 states, with the most recent case having illness onset of January 17. It does appear that the outbreak is slowing down, however. There have been more than 650 products recalled to date. For the complete list, visit www.fda.gov. The fact that the daily case count is declining provides some hope that the recalls and warnings to consumers has helped.

Moderator

I know there have been cases in Kansas. What do the statistics look like here?

Interim State Epidemiologist D. Charles Hunt

We have had two cases in Kansas, one occurring in November, and one occurring in December of last year. We have not had any other cases.

Moderator

Let’s jump right into questions from out audience.

marytrial

Approx 4 weeks ago I ate Austin peanut butter crackers on a flight to Las Vegas. About 10 pm that evening I vomited several times. Other than food not sounding good for a couple of days, that was the end of any symtoms. I do not know whether the crackers were contaminated or whether I ate too much junk food that day.
IF the crackers were bad, should I be ok now or might there be long-term effects I should watch for? I kept the remaining packages of crackers just in case I need them.
Thank you.

Interim State Epidemiologist D. Charles Hunt

a. The incubation period (the time interval between when contaminated food is consumed and the onset of illness) for salmonellosis is typically 12 to 36 hours, though it can rarely be shorter or longer. Most people with salmonellosis experience diarrhea, headache, abdominal pain, and nausea. Vomiting occurs less often. Though there can be complications, most people with salmonellosis recover without long term problems. A small percentage of those infected will continue to carry the organism for several weeks to months. So, as always, you should practice good handwashing. But since the Austin peanut butter crackers have been recalled, I recommend you throw them out. The package you ate on your flight might not be contaminated, but the others might.

Moderator

Much has been made lately of the fact that salmonella was found in the peanut plant long before the recalls were instituted. How does that happen?

Interim State Epidemiologist D. Charles Hunt

It is not known at this time how the plant became contaminated. According to plant records, the company allegedly found Salmonella in its products during its own laboratory tests, but when repeat tests were negative, the company shipped the product. The FDA inspection reports noted that the company failed to clean the equipment after the initial tests were positive. Obviously, this is against good manufacturing practices. For additional details, the FDA inspection reports are available at http://www.fda.gov/ora/frequent/default.htm.

gdiepenb

What do you suggest people do if they discover they have purchased recalled peanut butter?

Interim State Epidemiologist D. Charles Hunt

Recalled products should be discarded, and then persons who handled the product should wash their hands and any surfaces the product touched thoroughly.

budwhysir

It appears over the past few years that outbreaks and recalls have become daily news. Is it possible that the new process equipment or storage areas are a factor for this type of problem? Also, is it possible that the preservatives used in foods are now at a point that they could be causing these types of outbreaks and recalls?

Interim State Epidemiologist D. Charles Hunt

The FDA inspections have noted that the implicated company allegedly did not follow good manufacturing processes. For example, it was noted that raw peanuts were stored next to roasted peanuts. As I noted earlier, there were also problems noted with the company’s equipment cleaning processes. In addition, the FDA found that the roasting process was not validated, so it is possible the temperatures were inadequate to kill Salmonella and other organisms. Salmonella can survive for long periods of time and at higher temperatures in high-fat, low-moisture environments, such as peanut butter. We have seen many Salmonella outbreaks related to raw products (such as peppers) over the years, so I do not think preservatives would play a role.

ChristineMetz

Has organic peanut butter or organic products with peanuts in them been linked to the outbreak?

Interim State Epidemiologist D. Charles Hunt

At this time, only peanut butter and peanut products manufactured by Peanut Corporation of America have been implicated in this outbreak. However, many companies purchase peanuts or peanut products from PCA for use in a variety of other foods. It is recommended that you call the company that manufactures the product you are concerned about to check on their supplier for peanuts. Consumers should avoid eating any products that have been recalled or that they are unsure of the source of peanuts in the products.

budwhysir

As I understand, the FDA missed a few things in the inspection of the peanut plant, are all divisions of the FDA supervised at a federal level or are they allowed to produce state level procedures and inspections?

Interim State Epidemiologist D. Charles Hunt

My understanding is that the FDA contracts with the Georgia Dept. of Agriculture for at least some operations within the state of GA, including inspections of Peanut Corporation of America facilities.

Moderator

Are there any longterm effects of salmonella?

Interim State Epidemiologist D. Charles Hunt

Most people with salmonellosis recover fully without complications. A small percentage of people may have infections outside the intestinal tract, so a variety of complications can occur, including bloodstream infections, abscesses, or joint infections that can cause arthritis. Some people can continue to carry Salmonella for several weeks to months after their symptoms resolve.

In this outbreak, approximately 22% of reported ill persons have been hospitalized, and the outbreak might have contributed to eight deaths. These hospitalizations and deaths have been due to the acute symptoms of salmonellosis, such as dehydration.

Moderator

That’s all the questions we have Charlie. Thanks very much for joining us. I know I learned something and I’m sure our audience did as well.

Interim State Epidemiologist D. Charles Hunt

Thanks again for the opportunity.