Drug-Resistant Salmonella Reported in New York State

The multi-drug resistant strain of salmonella has has affected at least 92 people across 29 state since this past January, and some patients have been reported in New York State.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention say this strain is the result of raw chicken. Although no deaths have been reported, 22 patients have been hospitalized after coming in contact with the salmonella strain.

No common supplier of the infected raw chicken has been identified, but the CDC says many chicken products have been affected. Pet food, chicken pieces, ground pieces, and whole chickens are some of the affected products.

This strain of salmonella is resistant to the normal treatment of multiple antibiotics.

This particular strain can cause cramps, diarrhea, fever, and stomach pains as quickly as 12 hours after contact. It can also take as long as 72 hours to cause symptoms.

To prevent this salmonella strain from spreading the CDC says:

Don’t wash chicken before you cook it, as doing so can spread germs to other surfaces. Wipe down surfaces that have come into contact with raw meat, and use a separate cutting board. Cook chicken to a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill harmful bacteria.

The CDC says pet owners should not feed their cats or dogs raw chicken as it can make pets sick AND aid in spreading the strain because of humans handling the raw chicken.

[via CBS Local]