The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta has amended its final update on the Salmonella outbreak linked to frozen cooked shrimp.  The agency says since its July 21 final report, it has identified three new illnesses in the outbreak,

In that final report in July, the CDC said “this outbreak is over.”

At least one of these new patients ate frozen cooked shrimp supplied by Avanti Frozen Foods that was not part of the company’s initial recall on June 25. On August 13, Avanti expanded its recall to include additional brands and expiration dates of frozen cooked shrimp products.

The three new illnesses raise the total for the outbreak to 9 confirmed cases in two additional states for a total of four. One additional hospitation raises that total to 3. No deaths are associated with the outbreak. The investigation remains active.

Frozen cooked shrimp supplied by Avanti Frozen Foods

• Sold under multiple brand names including 365, Ahold, Big River, Censea, Chicken of the Sea, CWNO, First Street, Food Lion, Hannaford, Harbor Banks, Honest Catch, HOS, Meijer, Nature’s Promise, Open Acres, Sandbar, Sea Cove, Waterfront Bistro, Wellsley Farms, and WFNO Brands
• Distributed nationwide from November 2020 to May 2021, but may have been sold in stores more recently
• See the initial recall noticeexternal icon and the expanded recall noticeexternal icon for packaging sizes, descriptions, and product codes

The CDC urges consumers and retailers with frozen cooked shrimp in their freezers to carefully review the product tables in both recall notices and throw away or return any recalled products.

Sushi rolls containing recalled shrimp

• Sold in California only
• Best by dates of 08/13/2021 and 08/14/2021
• See the three recall notices (Genji Pacific LLC.external icon, Mai Cuisine Inc.external icon, and Mai Franchising Inc.external icon) for product names, product codes, and stores where products were sold

About salmonella infections

Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has eaten any recalled products and developed symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions. Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

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