A national salmonella outbreak linked to Foster Farms chicken has sickened people in the Pacific Northwest. Fourteen Oregonians and seventeen Washingtonians are among those affected. That’s according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The outbreak began in 2013, and the majority of illnesses have been in California. No deaths have been reported so far.
Emilio DeBess is Oregon's epidemiologist. He says it's not unusual for poultry to have the salmonella bacteria.
"There’s always a risk of salmonella in poultry and people should always wash their hands really well after handling chicken. And, the other key factor is cooking it well, especially during the summer time and that will prevent any illness," he explained.
DeBess says some of the symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. He says drinking fluids and getting extra rest can help alleviate the symptoms. But if not, people should see a doctor.
Copyright 2014 Oregon Public Broadcasting