Today's Highlights * From May 1 to August 31, 2010, approximately 1,469 illnesses were reported that are likely to be associated with this outbreak. * FDA identified Salmonella with PFGE patterns indistinguishable from the outbreak strain in egg farm environmental samples.

Salmonella is everywhere. And while the salmonella-in-eggs-from-Iowa outbreak is capturing media attention, other outbreaks continue. The LaCrosse Tribune reports that salmonella poisoning did sicken about 30 people in Vernon County, Wisconsin late last week, but the illness is not thought to be connected to the recent nationwide egg recall.

William Neuman of the New York Times writes this morning that for the first time in the U.S., public health officials have linked ground beef to illnesses from a rare strain of E. coli, adding fuel to an already fierce debate over expanding federal rules meant to keep the toxic bacteria out of the meat supply.

In September 2009, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) identified an outbreak of Salmonella gastroenteritis among attendees at a reception. A case-control study and environmental and laboratory investigations were conducted. Nine case-patients and 14 control subjects were identified. Potato salad consumption was strongly associated with illness (odds ratio [OR] = 84.0).

Restaurant reports for the week ending Aug. 29: No critical violations: • Bean Elementary School, 3001 Ave. N • Cafe J (Bar No. 2), 2605 19th St. • Carillon (Hobnob), 1717 Norfolk Ave. • Carillon (Skilight), 1717 Norfolk Ave. •Carillon (Starlight), 1717 Norfolk Ave.

Traducido por Gonzalo Erdozain

The criminal division of the Food and Drug Administration and the Justice Department have joined the probe of the Iowa farm at the heart of the recent egg recall linked to an outbreak of salmonella, according to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg.

Columnist Kristof  says the latest salmonella outbreak, underscoring the failures of industrial farming, and that while inspections of Iowa poultry farms linked to the salmonella outbreak have prompted headlines about infestations with maggots and rodents, the larger truth is: industrial agriculture is itself unhealthy.

Federal inspectors are investigating the Minnesota rendering operation that supplies an ingredient used in hen feed at the Iowa egg farms linked to the national salmonella outbreak. Central Bi-Products, part of Farmers Union Industries, produced meat and bone meal that tested positive for salmonella at a feed mill operated by Quality Egg LLC in Galt, Ia.