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Salmonella Outbreak FAQ
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE VEGGIE BOOTY SALMONELLA OUTBREAK
PRITZKER | RUOHONEN & ASSOCIATES, P.A., ONE OF AMERICA'S MOST EXPERIENCED FOODBORNE ILLNESS LAW FIRMS
Toll-Free 1-888-377-8900
SUBMIT THE FIRM'S ONLINE CONSULTATION FORM
* Important Note: Our firm is representing outbreak cases involving people with test-confirmed Salmonella.
What is this outbreak about?
The CDC has linked Veggie Booty to a nationwide Salmonella outbreak. Read the latest information from the FDA about the Veggie Booty Salmonella outbreak.
How can I tell if someone in my family is part of the outbreak?
Someone is part of this outbreak if he or she ate Veggie Booty and became ill with salmonellosis (the illness caused by Salmonella bacteria).
What is salmonellosis?
Salmonellosis is an infection with a bacteria called Salmonella. Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some persons the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.
What are the symptoms of salmonellosis?
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Dehydration
- High fever and typhoid fever
The illness that results from most types of Salmonella poisoning is characterized by diarrhea and intestinal symptoms. Diarrhea, an upset stomach and abdominal pains may result from an infection of this type. In some cases these Salmonella symptoms are accompanied by a mild fever.
How long does it take to develop symptoms of salmonellosis?
Most persons infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.
How do I find out if the symptoms I'm having are due to salmonellosis rather than some other condition?
Many different kinds of illnesses can cause diarrhea, fever, or abdominal cramps. Determining that Salmonella is the cause of the illness requires laboratory tests to identify Salmonella in the stools of an infected person. These tests are sometimes not performed unless the laboratory is instructed specifically to look for the organism. Once Salmonella has been identified, further testing can determine its specific type, and which antibiotics could be used to treat it.
Is a test confirming salmonellosis enough to show it came from Veggie Bootie?
Usually not. If the stool or urine test confirms that you have salmonellosis, it is still necessary to prove that you have the specific type of salmonellosis associated with the outbreak. There are many different kinds of Salmonella bacteria. In this case, the outbreak is associated with a certain type called Salmonella Wandsworth. Thus, the stool or urine sample testing has to show that not only do you have salmonellosis but also that it was caused by Salmonella Wandsworth.
The testing necessary to show that you have Salmonella Wandsworth can be done at most hospitals or private medical laboratories. Your doctor has to order the testing.
If testing confirms that you have Salmonella Wandsworth, the law in your state requires that your doctor or the hospital has to report the test findings to the state health department. The state health department will usually do further testing (or send the sample to the Unites States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CDC) to confirm if the genetic fingerprint of your sample matches the genetic fingerprint of the salmonella strains from other people associated with this outbreak.
How do I know if I have a case?
You have a case if you can prove that:
- You have salmonellosis (the disease caused by the Salmonella bacterium). This is usually confirmed by testing a stool sample. Many different kinds of illnesses can cause diarrhea (bloody diarrhea in the case of Salmonella Wandsworth), fever, or abdominal cramps. Determining that Salmonella is the cause of the illness depends on laboratory tests that identify Salmonella in the stools or urine of an infected person. These tests are sometimes not performed unless the laboratory is instructed specifically to look for the organism. Once Salmonella has been identified, further testing can determine its specific type, and which antibiotics could be used to treat it. Thus, Pritzker | Ruohonen strongly suggests that you consult with a doctor if you still have symptoms.
- Your Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) was caused by the Veggie Booty you consumed. This is important because there are many different ways you can become infected with Salmonella. Thus, we have to prove that your salmonellosis came from this particular outbreak. To do that, the culture of Salmonella from your stool or urine sample needs to undergo additional testing to see if its genetic fingerprint matches the genetic fingerprint of the other people who are part of this outbreak. This advanced testing is usually conducted by your state's health department if your stool or urine sample tested positive for Salmonella.
- You suffered injuries and damages as a result of your salmonellosis.
Do I need to hire a lawyer?
The short answer is yes. As you can see, these cases are complicated. Only a few law firms in the United States have the experience and resources to successfully pursue these kinds of cases.
What should I do with leftover Veggie Booty?
Keep it. It may be useful to test the leftover Veggie Booty for the presence of Salmonella Wandsworth. You should not return or dispose of any Veggie Booty until you find out if you test positive for Salmonella Wandsworth. If you test positive, you should contact a lawyer at Pritzker | Ruohonen immediately by calling toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submitting the firm's online consultation form.
What if my symptoms are gone - how can I tell if what I had was salmonellosis?
Even if your symptoms are gone, it is still possible that Salmonella Wandsworth is in your body. People who had symptoms can still be carriers even though they are no longer acutely ill.
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Firm News
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Fred Pritzker has been notified that he will again be listed in The Best Lawyers in America.
Taste of Chicago
Pritzker | Ruohonen attorney Rich Ruohonen is managing attorney for our Taste of Chicago / Pars Cove Salmonella cases, which involve a Salmonella outbreak with over 180 confirmed cases of Salmonella. Contact Rich Ruohonen regarding these cases at 1-888-377-8900 (toll-free).
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Rich Ruohonen's recently published article addresses effective cross examination of the defence neuropsychologist.
Foodborne Outbreaks
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- Nebraska Beef Lawsuit: Nebraska Beef, Ltd. has recalled millions of pounds of beef products and has been linked to 2 outbreaks.
- Massachusettes E. coli: A Massachusettes E. coli outbreak has been linked to Nebraska Beef products and Coleman Meat products.
- Whole Foods Market Lawsuit: The Whole Foods Market E. coli outbreak is part of the Massachusettes E. coli outbreak above.
- Virginia E. coli - Goshen Scout Reservation: Dozens of scouts were sickened in an E. coli outbreak linked to beef.
- Georgia E. coli - Barbecue Pit Lawsuit
- Ohio E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
- Michigan E. coli Outbreak: Ground beef may have sickened people in both Michigan and Ohio.
- Multi-State Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak: Tomatoes have sickened hundreds of people throughout the United States.
- Minnesota Preschool E. coli: Outbreak associated with Wonder World Preschool in Slayton, Minnesota.
- Washington E. coli Lettuce: Outbreak associated with commercial romaine lettuce.
- Texas Salmonella Saintpaul - Tomato: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
- New Mexico Salmonella Saintpaul Linked to Tomatoes: Outbreak most likely caused by Roma, red plum and/or red round tomatoes.
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- Minnesota Salmonella - Milford Valley Farms Lawsuit: Frozen chicken product.
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- Honolulu E. coli - Sekiya's Lawsuit and Lawyer: E. coli associated with Hawaii restaurant.
- Alabama E. coli - Church Supper: Outbreak associated with Eastern Shore Baptis Church.
- E. coli - Rochester Meat Company Recall and Lawsuit: Ground beef recall.
- E. coli - Jeno's and Totino's Pizza Recall and Lawsuit: Pepperoni on pizza.
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