An outbreak of salmonella Heidelberg that sickened 21 people this year in eight states has been linked to livestock from Wisconsin that was used in 4-H youth agricultural projects and butchered for meat.
Dairy bull calves from Wisconsin seem to be the common link to all of the salmonella cases, according to the CDC. The outbreak lasted from January to October and affected people in California, Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Eight people were hospitalized due to the infection.
Most of those sickened had direct contact with the dairy bull calves or with other cattle, The Huffington Post reported. Some said their symptoms started after their dairy bull calf got sick or died. Patients ranged from under a year old to 72 years old.
Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramping, starting 12 to 72 hours after contracting the infection. Most cases of salmonella clear up within four to seven days without treatment, but some who have severe diarrhea need hospitalization, and it can be deadly.
Overuse of antibiotics by cattle and people can lead to drug-resistant strains of salmonella and other infectious diseases. It is estimated more than 400,000 people each year get sick from resistant bacteria that has entered the food supply, according to the CDC.
The investigation into the Wisconsin dairy bull calves is ongoing. Health officials advise the public to wash their hands thoroughly after touching livestock, equipment, or other animal-related items, especially before eating or drinking.
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