Delicacy though it is, sushi is suspected in a Salmonella food-poisoning outbreak that includes 31 California cases, including four in Riverside County, say state health officials.googleoff: all
"The California cluster is part of a multi-state Salmonella...outbreak that is likely linked to consumption of raw tuna, commonly used in sushi," California Department of Public Health officials said in a written statement issue Thursday.googleoff: all
Raw tuna also is eaten as sashimi, which refers to many types of raw fish that's cut into very thin slices.googleoff: all
Salmonella symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps that occur 12 to 72 hours after infection, officials say. Most patients recover without any treatment.googleoff: all
However, some patients require hospitalization because of the severity of the diarrhea. In severe cases,a the disease can be fatal if not treated promptly.googleoff: all
As of May 21, some 53 cases had been reported in nine states, including 31 in California.googleoff: all
"Most of the patients reported eating sushi containing raw tuna," according to the statement. "To date, 10 patients have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. The outbreak appears to be ongoing."googleoff: all
So far, the California outbreak is limited to six counties throughout the Southland.� The breakdown of counties and patients: Los Angeles, 9; Orange, 6; Riverside, 4; San Diego, 7; Santa Barbara, 1; and Ventura, 4.googleoff: all
Health officials are trying to pinpoint the source of the outbreak by tracing food distributors who deal with the sushi restaurants named by the patients.