CDC and public health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Reading infections linked to raw turkey products.
Officials say 90 infection cases with the outbreak strain Salmonella Reading have been reported from 26 states, including one case in Tennessee.
Forty people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
According to the CDC, evidence indicates that raw turkey products from a variety of sources are contaminated and are making people sick.
Those infected report eating different types and brands of turkey products purchased from many different locations. Two lived in a household where raw turkey pet food was fed to pets.
The outbreak strain has been identified in samples taken from raw turkey pet food, raw turkey products, and live turkeys.
CDC has not identified a single, common supplier of raw turkey products or of live turkeys.
The agency is not advising that consumers avoid eating properly cooked turkey products, or that retailers stop selling raw turkey products.
It does, however, advise consumers to follow these steps to help prevent Salmonella infection from raw turkey:
- Wash your hands. Salmonella infections can spread from one person to another. Wash hands before and after preparing or eating food, after contact with animals, and after using the restroom or changing diapers.
- Cook raw turkey thoroughly to kill harmful germs. Turkey breasts, whole turkeys, and ground poultry, including turkey burgers, casseroles, and sausage, should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill harmful germs. Leftovers should be reheated to 165°F. Use a food thermometer to check, and place it in the thickest part of the food.
- Don’t spread germs from raw turkey around food preparation areas. Washing raw poultry before cooking is not recommended. Germs in raw poultry juices can spread to other areas and foods. Thoroughly wash hands, counters, cutting boards, and utensils with warm, soapy water after they touch raw turkey. Use a separate cutting board for raw turkey and other raw meats if possible.
- CDC does not recommend feeding raw diets to pets. Germs like Salmonella in raw pet food can make your pets sick. Your family also can get sick by handling the raw food or by taking care of your pet.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) is monitoring the outbreak.
