Sushi Linked to 9-State Salmonella Outbreak

A salmonella outbreak likely linked to raw tuna has sickened 53 people in nine states, health officials say. Most of the cases—31—are in California, according to state officials. Other affected states include Arizona, Illinois, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Ten people have been hospitalized but no deaths have been reported, according to state and federal officials. The source of the outbreak is unknown, but most who fell ill reported eating sushi containing raw tuna. "At this time, a common brand or supplier of raw tuna has not been identified," the CDC said on its website.

Salmonella is a bacteria and the most common source of food poisoning in the US. Symptoms include diarrhea, cramping, and fever. Health officials say the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and people with weak immune systems should avoid raw fish and raw shellfish. "This is a good reminder to Californians that there are sometimes risks when eating raw or undercooked meats, fish, or poultry," the director of the California Department of Public Health said in a statement. (More salmonella stories.)