Salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter
— -- The number of people sickened in a nationwide outbreak of salmonella tied to tainted peanut butter rose Tuesday to 425 in 43 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
State health officials confirmed Tuesday that one death in Minnesota and two in Virginia were likely tied to the outbreak.
It has not been determined that the individuals died because of the salmonella infection, but officials in both states confirmed that all three were infected with the outbreak strain. The hometowns of the victims were not disclosed.
"This is a complex, widespread outbreak that appears to be ongoing," CDC spokeswoman Lola Russell says. "Preliminary analysis suggests peanut butter is the likely source."
Retail brands of peanut butter are not involved, Russell says. The source is believed to be brands sold to institutions, such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools.
"Clusters of infections in several states have been reported at schools and other institutions," Russell says.
The King Nut Co., an Ohio-based distributor of peanut butter that has been connected to the outbreak, says its products cannot be the sole source of the illnesses. The Minnesota Department of Health Monday got a positive genetic match between the outbreak strain and salmonella found in an opened container of King Nut peanut butter. The peanut butter was at a nursing home where several residents had become ill.
While the company has recalled all its peanut butter, it said in a prepared statement Monday night that it only distributes its products — including the King Nut and Parnell's Pride labels — in seven states: Arizona, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota and Ohio.
Both brands distributed by King Nut are manufactured by the Peanut Corp. of America, based in Lynchburg, Va.
It is not clear what other peanut butters Peanut Corp. manufactures and where they are distributed. Calls to the company Tuesday were not returned.
Salmonella causes cramping, diarrhea and fever. Most people recover without treatment after four to seven days. It is the greatest threat to the very young, very old and people with compromised immune systems.
