Having salmonella in your charcuterie board is not cute.
A salmonella outbreak is currently sweeping the nation in connection to Italian-style meats. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating the case after 36 people across 17 states have fallen ill.
“Until we identify which Italian-style meats are making people sick, heat all Italian-style meats to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot before eating if you are at higher risk,” the CDC advised.
“Italian-style meats include salami, prosciutto and other meats that can often be found in antipasto or charcuterie assortments. Heating food to a high enough temperature helps kill germs like Salmonella,” the press release continued.
The CDC explained that people 65 and older are at the most risk as well as children 5 years and younger.
Twelve out of the 36 people who were infected had to be hospitalized, the CDC said. Symptoms for the sickness include dizziness when standing up, dehydration, bloody diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. While symptoms will usually start six hours after ingesting the bacteria, many people recover after four to seven days without needing medical treatment.
This past May, the CDC warned poultry farmers to stop hugging their chickens as it led to a salmonella outbreak. The center saw that 163 people were sickened across 43 states. No chicken-caressers have died, although a third of the people who were ill were kids under 5 years of age.
“Don’t kiss or snuggle backyard poultry, and don’t eat or drink around them,” the CDC explained at the time. “This can spread Salmonella germs to your mouth and make you sick.”