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Six salmonella cases reported in Ingham County

The Michigan Department of Community Health reported 15 additional cases of salmonella in nine Michigan counties Friday, including six cases in Ingham County.

Four cases in the state were known prior to Friday, all associated with a nationwide outbreak of the Salmonella Saintpaul strain that began in April.

Five of the Michigan residents infected had been hospitalized, two of whom were from Ingham County, according to a department press release.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is continuing to warn consumers to limit their consumption of tomatoes to ones locally grown, sold with the vine still attached and grown at home. Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes and red plum, red Roma and round red tomatoes from specific sources are be OK to consume.

A list of suitable tomato sources can be found at the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s Web site.

“We strongly encourage people to follow the federal advisory on what to eat and what not to eat,” said CDC spokesman James McCurtis. “If they are not sure, then stay away from all these foods. We encourage people to be very cautious.”

An investigation is under way to determine the causes, with suspicion surrounding raw jalepeno peppers and cilantro, common ingredients in salsa, the release said. The Michigan Department of Agriculture is working in close cooperation with the FDA in conducting inspections and sampling of these foods to determine the cause.

Symptoms of the illness include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Those suffering these symptoms who have eaten raw tomatoes or foods are advised to contact their health care provider.

There also were three reported cases in Eaton County and one in Clinton County.

Published on Friday, July 11, 2008