Pennsylvania Department of Health Confirms Fifth Salmonella Case Linked to National...

Pennsylvania Department of Health Confirms Fifth Salmonella Case Linked to
National Outbreak

Investigation Shows No Link to Pennsylvania-Grown Tomatoes

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Five illnesses caused by
Salmonella Saintpaul now have been confirmed among Pennsylvania residents,
State Health Secretary Dr. Calvin B. Johnson announced today. These cases are
linked to the current multi-state Salmonella outbreak associated with tomatoes
that has produced at least 338 cases nationwide since April.

One case each has been identified in Bucks, Butler, Lancaster, Warren and
Montgomery counties. Investigations of these cases are underway. At this time,
the Department of Health investigation indicates at least two of the
individuals appear to have been exposed outside of Pennsylvania.

"The Department of Health is working very closely with our partners at the
federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug
Administration and with other state health departments to thoroughly
investigate these cases," Dr. Johnson said. "We know from specialized tests of
the Salmonella performed at our state public health laboratory that these
cases are part of the larger national outbreak."

At this time, FDA is advising U.S. consumers to limit their tomato consumption
to those that are not the likely source of this outbreak. Agriculture
Secretary Dennis Wolff said that Pennsylvania tomatoes were cleared and not
associated with the outbreak.

"Pennsylvania grown tomatoes were not the source of the recent salmonella
contamination, and Pennsylvanians should know that our tomatoes are safe,"
said Wolff. "Consumers can continue to seek out locally grown, fresh tomatoes
of all types, including round, roma and plum red tomatoes, especially those
designated as PA Preferred."

Currently, the only Pennsylvania tomatoes on the market in any volume are
greenhouse tomatoes. Local greenhouse tomatoes are being harvested now, and
tomatoes grown in high tunnels or unheated greenhouses will start ripening in
volume later in June.

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that affects the intestinal tract and
sometimes can affect the bloodstream and other organs. It is one of the most
common causes of gastroenteritis, which can include diarrhea and vomiting.
Approximately, 2,000 cases of Salmonella are reported each year in
Pennsylvania.

Onset of illness usually occurs in 24 to 72 hours, and patients typically
recover in five to seven days. Patients often do not require treatment unless
they become severely dehydrated or the infection spreads from the intestines.
Individuals with severe diarrhea may require re-hydration, often with
intravenous fluids.

For more information on salmonella and for future updates regarding cases in
Pennsylvania, visit the Department of Health at www.health.state.pa.us or call
1-877-PA-HEALTH.

CONTACT: Stacy Kriedeman
(717) 787-1783

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health

Stacy Kriedeman of Pennsylvania Department of Health, +1-717-787-1783