The CDC has announced that they are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Muenchen that has been linked to alfalfa sprouts produced by Sweetwater Farms. As of today, 13 people have been sickened in 5 states. States affected by the outbreak include Kansas with 5 cases, Missouri with 3 cases, Oklahoma with 3 cases, and Pennsylvania with 2 cases. The first case of illness took place on December 1, 2015. Cases continued to occur, with the most recent case starting on January 21st. Five people have been hospitalized so far.
Interviews conducted by the CDC revealed that 10 people had eaten sprouts prior to being ill. Nine of those people specified that they had eaten alfalfa sprouts. People sickened in the outbreak reported eating at 5 different restaurants. Investigators linked Sweetwater Farms to the outbreak after samples taken during a recent inspection tested positive for Salmonella. The Inman, Kansas based farm was discovered to be the supplier of alfalfa sprouts to all five of the restaurants identified by people sickened in the outbreak.
Health officials have warned that consumers should not eat these alfalfa sprouts. If eaten, they may cause a Salmonella infection to develop. This infection will develop over the course of 12-72 hours and will produce symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and fever. Children, the elderly, and those with suppressed immune systems are at an increased risk of developing a severe Salmonella infection. If you or a loved one begins to show the symptoms of Salmonella poisoning, contact a medical professional.