On Saturday, April 12,
2008, the FDA announced that at least 23 people in 14 states have been
diagnosed with
Salmonella serotype Agona
infection that matches
the strain of
Salmonella found in recently recalled unsweetened puffed
rice and unsweetened puffed wheat cereals produced by Malt-O-Meal.
Information about the recall and the
corresponding illness can be found on the FDA and CDC websites:
FDA:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01819.html
CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/agona/
As of Tuesday, April 15,
2008,
Colorado
has one reported case of
Salmonella serotype Agona that matches the
outbreak PFGE pattern.
The case resides
in
Arapahoe
County.
This recall has generated
phone calls from citizens who have the recalled product in their home and
believe they became ill from consuming the product.
CDPHE is providing the following guidance to
local public health agencies receiving these calls:
1)
Persons who think
they may have become ill from eating cereal are advised to visit their health
care provider.
CDPHE will
NOT
be testing stool from persons who believe they may have become ill from eating
recalled cereal products.
2)
Persons who have
recalled cereal are advised to avoid consuming it and throw it away or return
it to the point of purchase for a refund.
CDPHE will
NOT be testing recalled cereal from the general public.
Please contact the CDPHE
Communicable Disease Epidemiology Program with any questions:
303-692-2700.
