Salmonella Outbreak Spreads In Ohio, Other States

A mysterious outbreak of the food-borne bacteria salmonella has sickened nearly 400 people in 42 states, according to United States health officials.

The source of the outbreak and how it is spreading is not known, but an investigation continues. At least 50 people have been affected in Ohio since October 2008, but officials have not said which other states or regions are affected.

In 2008, an outbreak of salmonella initially linked to certain types of raw tomatoes and later expanded to include cilantro and peppers was blamed for sickening thousands of consumers across the United States.

Salmonella is a common form of bacteria that can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 12 to 72 hours of infection. The illness can last from four to seven days, but most people recover without treatment.

Frequent hand-washing and careful preparation of raw meat and other foods can help protect against the spread of salmonella, officials said.

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