LANSING, Mich. (WZZM) -- State officials say an outbreak of salmonella linked to alfalfa sprouts has sickened 12 people in Michigan, with two cases requiring hospitalization.
The Michigan Departments of Agriculture and Community Health issued a public-health alert Friday warning residents to avoid eating raw alfalfa sprouts until the outbreak's origin can be determined.
Officials say 12 cases of salmonella typhimurium have been confirmed in Bay, Genesee, Kent, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. The onset of illness was between Aug. 17 and Sept. 18.
The Kent County Health Department had one case back in August. It says the product could be long gone, but people shouldn't take any chances. "So, at this point, they think it's isolated to that time period, so it could have moved on, but with these food-borne outbreaks that are along this line, it's hard to tell", says Bill Anstey, Deputy Health Officer.
Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and cramps within 12 to 72 hours after infection. The state says symptoms usually last four to seven days.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture is still trying to trace the salmonella back to its source.
As the investigation continues, local stores and restaurants are taking action. "Because we're responsible and made aware that there's a potential issue, we're going to pull them and hold them until further notice", says Wes Sterenberg, Director of Operations at Plumb's Grocery. The small amount of raw alfalfa that they do have, is being removed. Sterenberg says it is not a big seller.
Other supermarkets, like Meijer, say it will keep the product on the shelves until it gets more specific information.
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