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Writer's pictureReilly Spence

Food-borne illness awareness amidst U.S. Salmonella outbreak



GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – A Salmonella outbreak has reached 29 states in the U.S. The ongoing outbreak is a reminder to be aware of food-borne illness and the safety precautions you can take. The upsurge in Salmonella-related illness comes during ‘National Food Safety Education Month’.


The CDC estimates that salmonella is responsible for more food-borne illness in the United States than any other bacteria. Since August, there have been 279 reported cases, 26 hospitalizations, yet no food recalls. A specific food item has not yet been identified as the source of this fast-growing outbreak.


Here in Mesa County, Mesa County Public Health has a team of consumer protection researchers who strive to keep our community safe from salmonella and all food-borne illnesses,


“A lot of different things can make you sick, and it’s not always the last thing you ate that made you sick. So, what we really encourage people to do is if they think they got sick from a restaurant, a grocery store, a food truck, or even from themselves, we ask that you call us. We will help you navigate that, and ultimately we care very deeply that our community has safe food to eat every single day,” says Mesa County Public Health’s Sally Born.

Colorado is not yet one of the 29 states impacted by the Salmonella outbreak, but the CDC urges you to talk to your healthcare provider if you have any symptoms.


You can call the Mesa County Disease Reporting Line at 970-254-4120 to report them, or if it is a medical emergency, call 911. To avoid food-borne illness, Public Health encourages you to wash your hands before preparing food, and after handling raw proteins. Also recommending keeping cold food, cold at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below, and keeping your hot food, hot at 135 degrees Fahrenheit or above.

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