Public Information Office 210 S. McDonald Street Suite 626 McKinney, Texas 75069 www.collincountytx.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 15, 2007

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Advice for Foodborne Illnesses

(McKinney, TX) – With the recent peanut butter recall, the public may be asking why foodborne outbreaks have become so common. Collin County Health Care Services has compiled some important facts and advice on these types of illnesses:

• Residents who believe that they are ill because of the recent recall should see a doctor. Everyone should discard the peanut butter related to the recall.
• If you are experiencing symptoms of salmonella or another foodborne illness, such as fever, diarrhea, and/or abdominal cramps, please visit your family doctor and ask if your provider thinks your illness is caused by bacteria. Your provider may not prescribe antibiotics because in certain circumstance they can make your illness worse.
• If your diagnosis is confirmed and reported by the physician, you can expect your local health department to call and ask questions about what you have eaten. It is important to remember that information given to the health department is obtained in order to prevent others from getting sick and not for use in legal cases.

Private laboratories in Texas are asked to submit salmonella samples to the Department of State Health Services. DSHS can provide genetic studies of the bacteria and compare them to those found in other states. When they are the same, health officials know that a single source is making people sick in multiple locations. Investigation of those illnesses helps determine if a food in wide distribution is the cause.

In 2006, 51 Collin County residents were diagnosed with salmonellosis and 8 residents were diagnosed with E. coli.

Collin County Health Care Services is a public health agency charged with assisting the state and federal government in protecting the public health through prevention, outbreak detection and investigation. It is not a full service medical clinic.

For more information on foodborne illnesses, visit the Center for Disease Control’s website at www.cdc.gov.

###