May 22, 2015 — Southern California is the hardest-hit region in an outbreak of Salmonella food poisoning linked to raw tuna in sushi.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports at least 53 illnesses in nine states since March 2015. Ten people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported.
States and case counts: Arizona (10), California (31), Illinois (1), Mississippi (1), New Mexico (6), South Dakota (1), Virginia (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (1).
Of the 31 illnesses in California, most were reported in southern coastal counties of Los Angeles (9), San Diego (7), and Orange (6), according to the California Department of Health.
The source of the outbreak is unknown and no products have been recalled. However, 97% of the 37 victims who were interviewed reported eating sushi in the week before their illness. Of these, 80% reported eating a “spicy tuna” sushi item.
Three years ago, raw tuna in “spicy tuna” sushi rolls were linked to a 20-state outbreak of Salmonella that caused at least 116 illnesses and 12 hospitalizations. Nearly 59,000 pounds of frozen raw yellowfin tuna were recalled by Moon Marina USA, a company based in Cupertino, California.
Victims in the latest outbreak range in age from an 83 year-old to an infant under a year old. The FDA recommends that children under five years old should not consume raw fish or shellfish. According to health officials in California:
“As the investigation continues, this is a good reminder to Californians that there are sometimes risks when eating raw or undercooked meats, fish or poultry. This is particularly true for young children, the elderly, or people with compromised immune systems who may be at an increased risk of severe illness.”
What is Salmonella Paratyphi?
The FDA has identified the outbreak strain as Salmonella paratyphi B variant. Infection typically causes symptoms within 12-72 hours, including diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. This strain of Salmonella does not cause paratyphoid fever, enteric fever, or typhoid fever, according to the CDC.
Do I have a Sushi Salmonella Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting sushi induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with Salmonella, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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