Salmonella outbreak: SA Health issues bean sprouts warning
Health authorities are warning South Australians not to consume raw bean sprouts after they were connected to an outbreak of Salmonella.
More than 100 cases of salmonella Saint Paul have been reported to SA Health over the past 11 days.
In total, 233 cases, including 43 hospitalisations, have been reported to SA Health since December last year.
An investigation by SA Health, local councils and food suppliers linked the outbreak to the consumption of raw bean sprouts this morning.
SA Health Chief Public Health Officer told reporters this afternoon that people should cook bean sprouts to ensure they are safe to eat.
“Normally we see 15 to 20 cases of (salmonella) Saint Paul a year … so this is a significant increase,” he said.
“While bean sprouts are a healthy food, they shouldn’t be eaten raw at the moment”
“Cook your bean sprouts and that will kill any bugs.”
Phillips said the symptoms of salmonella poinsoning include fever, abdominal cramps and pain, nausea, vomiting and bloody diarrhea.
“Sadly, salmonella can be very serious,” he said.
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