December 23, 2010 State Health Department Reports Possible
Salmonella Outbreak The Missouri Department of Health and Senior
Services (DHSS) has been notified by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) of a possible Salmonella outbreak connected
with contaminated alfalfa sprouts. DHSS has received reports of
16 Missouri residents becoming ill from the same strain of
Salmonella, with cases occurring in Franklin, St. Charles,
Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Louis Counties, and in Kansas City.
The department is investigating further to determine if the
cases are connected. In the course of this ongoing multi-state
investigation, alfalfa sprouts distributed in Illinois have been
identified as the likely source of the illness. DHSS does not
believe that all alfalfa sprouts are affected. Symptoms of
salmonellosis (illness caused by Salmonella bacteria) include
diarrhea, vomiting, fever and/or stomach cramps. Salmonellosis
usually develops within six to 72 hours after a consumer’s
exposure to Salmonella bacteria and general