Potential salmonella scare in Greater Louisville

Published: July 28, 2016 | Updated: September 19, 2024

A local grocery and retail chain has recalled deli-made salads and sandwiches as a precaution. Meijer is recalling the foods because they contain ingredients that are possibly tainted with salmonella bacteria, which can cause foodborne illness.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), salmonella is estimated to have caused 1 million foodborne illnesses in the United States, with 19,000 hospitalizations and 380 deaths. Someone infected with the bacteria can experience intestinal issues as soon as 12 to 72 hours after eating the contaminated food, and the illness can last for four to seven days.

In most cases, the symptoms will subside and medical intervention is not necessary. However, elderly people, infants and those who have a compromised immune system may need to be treated by a physician or admitted to a hospital. If the bacteria spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and to other parts of the body, antibiotic treatment is required and the person’s condition can become critical.

Symptoms to watch for include the sudden onset of:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Abdominal cramps

If you experience these symptoms, here’s what you should do:

• Get lots of rest.
• Stay home from work and school and avoid social gatherings. (The bacteria can spread if you or those around you don’t practice good hand hygiene.)
• Double up on fluids, including water and sports drinks containing electrolytes and vitamins, to prevent dehydration.
• Wash your hands and clean areas that may have become contaminated. (The illness can be spread from person to person and the bacteria can live on surfaces for a few hours.)

Seek medical treatment if your symptoms persist or do not improve within 72 hours, or if you are showing signs of dehydration, which is a major concern. If you notice the color of your urine getting darker or you are urinating less often, that is a sign you are becoming dehydrated.

If you need medical attention, Norton Healthcare offers 13 convenient immediate care centers to serve you. Most are open seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Or you can visit the nearest emergency department.

For more information on the food recall, visit: https://community.meijer.com/meijer/b/recalls/posts/101074-meijer-salads-and-sandwiches