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2006 Salmonella Outbreaks in the US

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2006 Salmonella Outbreaks in the US

Step 1: Preliminary Issues

In 2006 a salmonella outbreak was discovered in multiple states in the US and it was

transmitted through tomatoes. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported

that 183 Americans from more than twenty states were affected by the outbreak. Two Canadians

were also reported ill during the same period. The outbreak was confirmed to be associated with

Salmonella enterica according to the CDC (2006). People who are infected with disease

normally have a fever and diarrhea that disappears within seven days. The presence of the

disease indicated a median age of 34 years for most patients and 57% were female. Out of the

reported cases, 12% of the affected were hospitalized, with zero deaths being reported (CDC,

2006). Salmonella presents a challenging situation for the US population, especially after its

association with tomatoes. A proper channel of remedies is therefore important and essential in

addressing the detriments of the illness.

Step 2: Core Issues

Tomatoes are widely known as essential products in terms of providing unavoidable

nutrients. Their nutrient coverage is quite high and people always use tomatoes in their cooking.

The report by the CDC however, place the importance of tomatoes on a weighing scale. In 2007,

more than 79,000 people became ill as a result of salmonella where tomatoes were involved. It

becomes important to analyze the source of the illness or contamination in a bid to create

necessary solutions. Salmonella enterica is a foodborne illness that affects approximately 1

million people and 400 deaths, especially in the US. The illness stems from the intestinal tracts

of animals or foods that have displayed contact with animals. Additionally items used in the

production of raw foods also lead to the occurrence of the illness.

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The 2006 case in the US shows that vegetables have the possibility of carrying pathogens

that were traditionally associated with animal products. Tomatoes have the advantage of

containing high nutrients, which makes people attracted to their utilization. They are highly

nutrient vegetables, given their popularity amongst the US population. Their increased usage

certainly led to the prevalence of the illness in 2006 (Greene, 2007). However, tomatoes have a

high possibility of attracting pathogens due to the process involved in their transportation.

Evidently, tomatoes pass through various processes before reaching the mouth of the consumer.

Raw consumption of the product also increases the chances of contamination hence the

occurrence of the multistate outbreak in 2006. The opportunity provided by tomatoes and the

occurrence of the outbreak is that most people will be convinced to consumed organic foods.

Tomatoes present a conventionally certified source of nutrients but threats associated with its

processes and transportation certainly led to the outbreak in 2006. The issue of having an

increased distance between the consumer and the farm, aids in increasing the possibility of

salmonella infection.

Step 3

Investigations into the outbreaks in various states in 2006 are quite complex and the

determination of certain path also proves challenging. The CDC however, proved effective in

narrowing down to the most probable cause of the outbreak, and tomatoes were associated with

the same (Barton et al., 2012). Despite the absence of a single vehicle that could be associated

with the transfer of the pathogens, the CDC identified other sources in the process (CDC, 2006).

Restaurants were the main culprits since the studies identified their participation in the outbreak.

The pattern shown by the epidemic in 2006 entailed a curve that displayed a slow

transmission of the same. It is important to note that the shelf life of a tomato in normal
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circumstances is usually 30 days (Scallan, 2007). However, it is also important to note that the

shelf life is also incumbent on the maturity and temperatures that pertain to its storage and how it

is held. The issue of recurring multistate outbreaks indicate that the pathogens are harmful to

human health given their occurrence and deaths. It also shows that the environment in which

tomatoes are grown can be a good source of contamination for the same. Sources of

contamination for salmonella include feces (Greene, 2008) that are generated by both domestic

and wild animals. Ponds and ditches near the places where tomatoes are grown also formulate

aspects of contamination, according to research.

Step 4: Alternatives

The FDA imitated a tomato safety drive after the occurrence of the salmonella outbreak

in 2006. The move was associated with both cut and fresh pieces of tomatoes (CDC, 2006). The

initiative happened between the FDA and the state health as well as other government

organization that are affected by the impasse (CDC, 2006). The initiative involves appropriate

methods that focus on the safety of food products including the practices involved in the product

of the same. It is important for these organizations to focus on areas that have been associated

with problems in the past. This will help in identifying the trends of the outbreak as well as

possible solutions in combating the illness in citizens. People should either wash the tomatoes or

refrain from using them altogether (Greene, 2008).

Step 5: Recommendations

Large and recurrent issues in the outbreak show that tomatoes pose an ongoing problem

that attracts the availability of the illness. It is important for public health officials to recognize

the role of tomatoes in creating the illness. This should inform their ventures and attempts

towards creating a remedy. To avoid more outbreaks, it is important for government agencies to
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conduct additional research that pertains to the industry. It is significant to determine the source

of vectors that allude to the creation of contamination in tomatoes. An important aspect involves

the determination of mechanisms through which the pathogens operate. Determining the process

through which contamination can be reduced is also important in the process of addressing future

outbreaks. Additionally, the process of complete elimination should be prioritized y the

government and relevant organizations.

Step 6: Action Plan

Farmers also play an important in the reduction or elimination of future salmonella

outbreaks caused by tomatoes. They should adhere to hygienic procedures that prevent the

spread of the pathogens by all means possible. This involves the avoidance of contamination by

water, which is considered a great threat in the health portrayed by tomatoes. Through

collaboration with government agencies and the results from various research elements, it will be

possible for farmers to curb a further appearance of the illness. It is also important for farmers to

avoid storing good tomatoes alongside contaminated ones.

Step 7

This aspect is central in the process of creating more contamination and the upsurge of

the disease around various states. An important issue involves the collaboration of government

and agricultural agencies with local farmers. This entails benefits from research and the portrayal

of great proposals that will aid in reduction of the outbreak. Research can be imperative in

determining the stages where the plant becomes more vulnerable to the possibility of

contamination.

Conclusion
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Salmonella that stems out of tomatoes is a unique condition that defers from commonly

understood paths of pathogens. In the past salmonella was associated with animals but the

outbreak concerning tomatoes is a new reality. The government and farmers need to collaborate

in the process of offering plausible solutions to the matter.

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References

Baarton et al., (2012). Multistate outbreak of Salmonella serotype Typhimurium infections

associated with consumption of restaurant tomatoes, USA, 2006: hypothesis generation

through case exposures in multiple restaurant clusters. Epidemiol Infection. 2012

Nov;140(11):2053-61

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2006). Multistate outbreak of Salmonella

Typhimurium infections associated with eating ground beef – United States, 2004.

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 55: 180–182.

Greene, SK, et al. (2008). Recurrent multistate outbreak of Salmonella Newport associated with

tomatoes from contaminated fields, 2005. Epidemiology and Infection; 136: 157–165.

Lisa, S. (2006). Tomatoes confirmed as source of Salmonella outbreak. Retrieved

fromhttps://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2006/11/tomatoes-confirmed-source-

salmonella-outbreak;

Scallan, E, et al. (2007). Foodborne illness acquired in the United States – major pathogens.

Emerging Infectious Diseases 17: 7–15.