DHSS Press Release

CDC CONFIRMS DELAWARE'S FIRST CASE OF SALMONELLA TENNESSEE

On March 2, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially confirmed the Delaware Division of Public Health's (DPH) preliminary analysis that a 75-year-old Wilmington woman is Delaware's first case of Salmonella tennessee due to contaminated peanut butter. The woman has recovered from her infection and did not require hospitalization.

The Delaware case matches one of three genetic patterns associated with the nationwide Salmonella tennessee outbreak. As of February 27, 370 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella tennessee had been reported to CDC from 42 states. The Delaware case was not included in this number, as it was confirmed after the most recent statistics were released on the CDC website.

Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4-7 days, and most of those infected recover without treatment. However, in some individuals the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised consumers not to eat any Peter Pan peanut butter or Great Value peanut butter with a product code beginning with 2111 and to discard any such jars in their possession. People who think they may have become ill from eating peanut butter are advised to visit their health care provider. For more information on Salmonella infection and this outbreak, please refer to the following website: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/submenus/sub_salmonella.htm

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.