Friday, February 13, 2009
The Mississippi Department of Health reports seven confirmed cases of Salmonella typhimurium infections in the state, including one each in Hinds and Rankin counties.
The Centers for Disease Control has tracked the outbreak, which has infected more than 600 people in 44 states and Canada, back to the Peanut Corporation of America in Blakely, Ga., and the King Nut brand. The company sold the contaminated peanut butter to schools and hospitals in bulk containers ranging from 5 to 1,700 pounds. This most recent rash of cases has hospitalized at least 120 people and may have contributed to nine deaths.
The Jars of peanut butter sold to consumers in grocery stores and markets, including popular brands like Jif and Skippy, have not been affected.