More than 200 million eggs are being recalled by Wright County Egg of
Galt, Iowa because their shells have a potential for Salmonella
contamination. The eggs were distributed to wholesalers, distribution
centers and other outlets in Colorado, California, Missouri, Iowa,
Wisconsin, Illinois and Nebraska. Wright County Egg added that the eggs
are distributed nationwide.

In a press statement, Wright County Egg informs that there have been confirmed Salmonella enteritidis
illnesses linked to the egg shells and traceback investigations are
currently underway.

Wright County Egg says the eggs are packaged under the following brand names:

* Lucerne
* Albertson
* Mountain Dairy
* Ralph's, Boomsma's
* Sunshine
* Hillandale
* Trafficanda
* Farm Fresh
* Shoreland
* Lund
* Dutch Farms
* Kemps

There are various egg-cartons sizes, including 6-, 12-, and 18-egg cartons
with Julian dates numbered from 136 to 225, and plant numbers 1026, 1413
and 1946. The dates and codes are stamped on the carton. The consumer
should see a letter "P" (the plant number) followed by the number, for
example P-1946 223.

The recalled eggs were packed in their shells between May 16th and August 13th this year.

Wright Egg County says it is cooperating fully with FDA's investigation by
issuing this voluntary recall. Purchasers of these eggs should return
them to where they bought them for a full refund. Consumers are urged
not to eat them.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says it is collaborating with public health officials in
several states, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and the US
Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service to
investigate an increase in Salmonella enteritidis infections with an
indistinguishable pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern
JEGXX01.0004. This is the most common PFGE pattern for SE in the
PulseNet database. Investigators are using DNA analysis of Salmonella
bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing to identify cases of
illness that may be part of this outbreak.

In the USA, a normal incidence of Salmonella enteritidis infection is about 50 per week
nationwide. In June 2010, when there were 200 cases each week, public
health workers became alarmed. In some states the number of weekly
infections started rising in May. It is believed the increase in
infections is due to the Wright County eggs.

What is Salmonella? What is Salmonellosis
Salmonella infection, or salmonellosis, is a bacterial disease of the intestinal
tract. Salmonella is a group of bacteria that cause typhoid fever, food
poisoning, gastroenteritis, enteric fever and other illnesses.

People become infected mostly through contaminated water or foods, especially meat, poultry and eggs.

The Salmonella family includes over 2,300 serotypes of bacteria - they are
microscopic one-celled organisms. Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella
typhimurium are responsible for over 50% of all human infections in the
USA. Some Salmonella strains that exist in humans can make animals sick,
and vice-versa. The bacteria live in the gut of infected humans and
animals.

Salmonellosis is an infection caused by Salmonella.Salmonellosis is the illness, while Salmonella is the bacterium.

# Salmonella enteritidis infection causes gastroenteritis, with the following signs and symptoms: Stomach cramps
# Bloody stools
# Chills
# Diarrhea
# Fever
# Headache
# Muscle pains
# Nausea
# Vomiting
Very rarely, infection with Salmonella can result in bacteria getting into
the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial
infections, endocarditis or arthritis.

Sources: FDA, CDC, Wright County Egg

Written by Christian Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News Today