The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is conducting an outbreak investigation after a rash of illnesses in Cumberland County were confirmed as salmonella poisoning, Dr. Andrew Pelletier, an epidemiologist for the state, said on Wednesday.
The state lab has confirmed eight cases of Salmonella Newport, one of over 2,000 types of the salmonella bacteria. Two other cases are suspected, but unconfirmed. In 2006, there were seven cases of Salmonella Newport across the state over the course of the year. The recent outbreak occurred in Cumbeland County in under three weeks, from Sept. 13 through Oct. 2.
“It’s an unusual number of Salmonella Newport cases at any one time in Maine,” Pelletier said.
Because of the infectious nature of salmonella, which causes food-borne illnesses, medical practitioners are required to report known cases to the state. The state is conducting interviews with those who became ill, and is contacting others who may have had contact with the source of the bacteria. No specific source of the outbreak has been identified at this time, Pelletier said.
Salmonella poisoning can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting and fever. Most people who are infected recover within a matter of days, but children, the elderly and people with chronic medical problems can suffer other complications. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, salmonella poisoning causes an estimated 1.4 million illnesses and more than 500 deaths per year.
If anyone has symptoms of Salmonella poisoning, they are encouraged to consult their medical provider. Anyone with questions or concerns can call the Maine Center for Disease Control at 287-8016 or the Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline at 1-800-821-5821.
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