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Subway Restaurants Source of IL Salmonella

By Dan Flynn and Suzanna Schreck

Public health officials are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella in 14 Illinois counties linked to the Subway restaurant chain.
Of the 34 confirmed cases of Salmonella from this outbreak, 14 patients required hospitalization.  Currently, all patients are recovering.  
As of now, no cases of illness have been reported by patrons eating at restaurants in either the northeastern or southernmost portions of Illinois.  Counties in which Subway locations are under investigation include Sangamon, Schuyler, Christian, Bureau, LaSalle, Cass, Campaign, Peoria, Shelby, Warren, Macon, Ogle, Fulton and Tazewell. 

In a news release, the Illinois Department of Public Health stated that "Although there has been no positive or confirmed association with a specific product, the Subway restaurant chain has voluntarily withdrawn all lettuce, green peppers, red onion and tomatoes, from the suspected dates from its restaurants and has replaced the product with new, fresh produce."

The outbreak was reported between May 14 and May 25.  Those sickened ranged between the ages of six and 88.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, and cramping.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, the type of Salmonella isolated from patients in this outbreak is Salmonella Hvittingfoss, which is a very rare strain of the bacterium.  Typically only one or two cases of this type of Salmonella are seen in the Illinois per year.

The Department encourages anyone experiencing gastrointestinal illness 6 to 72 hours after eating at Subway restaurants in Illinois on or after May 10, 2010 to contact their healthcare provider or local health department.

Full post as published by Food Safety News on June 04, 2010 (boomark / email).