Epidemiologic and traceback findings have linked this outbreak of Salmonella infections to various brands of organic sprouted chia powder.
FDA
laboratory sampling identified Salmonella Gaminara from one sample of Organic Traditions Sprouted Chia Seed Powder. A search of the PulseNet database did not identify any human isolates matching this pattern of Salmonella Gaminara.
The National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) is a U.S. public health surveillance system that tracks antibiotic resistance in foodborne and other enteric bacteria found in humans, retail meats and poultry, and food-producing animals. NARMS is an interagency partnership among CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and state and local health departments.
The NARMS human surveillance program at CDC monitors antibiotic resistance in Salmonella and other bacteria isolated from clinical specimens submitted to NARMS by public health laboratories. CDC’s NARMS laboratory conducted antibiotic resistance testing on four isolates collected from ill persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Hartford (two isolates) and Salmonella Newport (two isolates). Of the four isolates tested, all were pansusceptible (susceptible to all antibiotics on the NARMS panel).
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency continue to investigate similar cases of Salmonella infection in several Canadian provinces. CDC, state, local, and Canadian public health partners are continuing laboratory surveillance through PulseNet to identify additional ill persons and to interview ill persons about foods eaten before becoming ill. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to work closely with CDC and other partners in this investigation.
