A total of 634 persons infected with seven outbreak strains of Salmonella Heidelberg were reported from 29 states and Puerto Rico from 1 March 2013 to 11 July 2014.

• 38 per cent of ill persons were hospitalized, and no deaths were reported.
• Most ill persons (77 per cent) were reported from California.

The current outbreak appears to be over as the number of reported infections has returned to the expected number for this time of year.

Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback investigations conducted by local, state, and federal officials indicated that consumption of Foster Farms brand chicken was the source of this outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg infections.

The US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) has determined that measures under taken by the firm to minimize Salmonella contamination of raw chicken have been successful.

The outbreak strains of Salmonella Heidelberg were resistant to several commonly prescribed antibiotics.

Although these antibiotics are not typically used to treat Salmonella blood infections or other severe Salmonella infections, antibiotic resistance can be associated with increased risk of hospitalization in infected individuals.

It is not unusual for raw poultry from any producer to have Salmonella bacteria.

• CDC and USDA-FSIS recommend consumers follow food safety tips to prevent Salmonella infection from handling or consuming raw poultry from any producer.
• Consumers should still check their freezers for recalled Foster Farms brand chicken products and should not eat them.