The CDC announced this evening that as of 9:00 pm EST on January 28, 2010, a total of 202 individuals infected with a matching strain of Salmonella Montevideo have been reported from 42 states and District of Columbia since July 1, 2009.
Illness Distribution
The number of ill persons identified in each state with this strain is as follows: AK (1), AL (2), AZ (5), CA (30), CO (4), CT (4), DC (1), DE (2), FL (3), GA (3), IA (1), ID (2), IL (11), IN (3), KS (3), LA (1), MA (12), MD (1), ME (1), MI (3), MN (4), MO (1), NC (9), ND (1), NE (1), NH (1), NJ (7), NM (2), NY (16), OH (9), OK (1), OR (9), PA (5), RI (2), SC (1), SD (3), TN (4), TX (7), UT (7), VA (1), WA (15), WV (1), and WY (2).
Illnesses began between July 4, 2009 and January 11, 2010. Infected individuals range in age from < 1 year old to 93 years old and the median age is 37 years. Fifty-three percent of patients are male. Among the 148 patients with available information, 38 (26%) were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The Investigation
During January 16-21, 2010, CDC and public health officials in multiple states conducted an epidemiologic study by comparing foods eaten by 41 ill and 41 well persons. Preliminary analysis of this study has suggested Daniele International Inc. salami as a possible source of illness. Ill persons (58%) were significantly more likely than well persons (16%) to report eating salami. Additionally, 13 ill persons have been identified who purchased the same type of Daniele salami at different grocery store locations before becoming ill, suggesting that Daniele salami was the source of their illnesses.
Daniele Recalls 1,240,000 Pounds of Pepper Coated Italian Sausage / Salami Products
On January 23, 2010, FSIS issued a notice* that Daniele International Inc. recalled approximately 1,240,000 pounds of ready-to-eat varieties of Italian sausage products (including salame/salami) due to potential Salmonella Montevideo contamination. These products can have an extended shelf life of up to one year. Daniele has now halted production of all salami products.
Daniele Products Test Positive for the Outbreak Salmonella Strain
This recall followed isolation of Salmonella in a private laboratory from a retail sample of a salami product produced by Daniele; this product was different than the sliced salami variety pack purchased at different grocery store locations by the 13 ill persons. FSIS reviewed and affirmed these private laboratory results. The Salmonella strain initially found by the private laboratory was different from the strains causing the outbreak.
However, the Washington State Department of Health subsequently tested the bacterial culture provided by the private laboratory (the salami was not provided) and identified two different Salmonella serotypes, the strain found by the private lab and Salmonella Montevideo indistinguishable from the outbreak strain.
In addition, the Iowa Department of Public Health and public health officials in Plymouth County, Iowa investigated a patient with Salmonella Montevideo infection indistinguishable from the outbreak strain and discovered an open sliced salami variety pack frozen at the patient’s home. The patient had eaten this product before becoming ill. This sliced salami variety pack was the same as that purchased by 13 other ill persons. Using DNA analysis, the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory (Iowa’s public health laboratory) confirmed that the Salmonella isolated from this leftover salami was indistinguishable from the outbreak strain of Salmonella Montevideo.
Recent test results provided by the Rhode Island Department of Health revealed that an opened container of black pepper used in the manufacturing of at least some of the recalled products was positive for Salmonella Montevideo and that the DNA fingerprint matched the outbreak strain: http://www.ri.gov/press/view/10647 *.
Simon & Luke Can Help
If you or a loved one have tested positive for salmonella, and have been contacted by the health department, you may have a viable claim against Daniele, Inc. Call the salmonella lawyers at Simon & Luke toll free at 1-888-335-4901 for a free consultation of your legal rights.
We have represented over 2000 victims of food poisoning in the last 2 years alone, and we have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.
We currently represent hundreds of persons sicked by salmonella poisoning from Austin / Keebler peanut butter crackers, Union International Foods black pepper, and Daniele, Inc. salami.
