Foster Farms Caught with 43 Cases of Salmonella Poisoning in Washington and Oregon

Foster Farms chicken has been linked to an outbreak of salmonella poisoning in Washington and Oregon.

According to the Oregon Health Authority, 43 cases have been discovered in Oregon, and the Washington Health Department said there have been at least 56 linked to a specific strain of the bacteria called salmonella Heidelberg.

While there have been no deaths so far, Salmonelloisis, an infection caused by Salmonella bacteria, which has existed for more than 100 years, has been reported with over 42,000 cases of salmonellosis each year in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Salmonella is reportedly common in chickens, and not just Foster Farm products. Cross contamination is possible when salad lettuce touches the same cutting board as raw chicken.

Symptoms of salmonellois include diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. Illness normally lasts four to seven days, and most patients recover without any additional treatment, although it could take a few months before bowel function is completely normal. However, in some rare cases, patients can develop reactive arthritis or pain in their joints, irritation of the eyes and painful urination. Reactive arthritis can last for quite some time and develop into chronic arthritis.

There are cases that the infection is so severe that the person may become hospitalized because the bacteria has spread from the intestines to the blood stream and other parts of the body. These rare cases typically happen to the elderly and infants, and those with impaired immune systems.

Foster Farms said in a statement that safety and quality are priorities. There is no recall.

Both health departments said Thursday the illnesses are a reminder to consumers to take care in handling and cooking chickens.