As of October 17, 2013, a total of 338 persons infected with seven outbreak strains of Salmonella Heidelberg have been reported from 20 states and Puerto Rico.
40% of ill persons have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.
Most ill persons (75%) have been reported from California.
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback investigations conducted by local, state, and federal officials indicate that consumption of Foster Farms brand chicken is the likely source of this outbreak of Salmonella Heidelberg infections.
This is in addition to a total of 134 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Heidelberg reported by the CDC in July from 13 states.
31% of ill persons were hospitalized, and no deaths were reported.
Most of the ill persons were reported from two states, Oregon (40) and Washington (57).
Collaborative investigative efforts of local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicated that Foster Farms brand chicken was the most likely source of this outbreak.