Nearly 60 people have been hospitalized following an outbreak after a music festival. As reported by News 12 Hudson Valley, the illnesses were first identified on July 2.
Leaders of the Shinnecock Nation in New York explained that the illnesses started after a music festival was held on their reservation. The Palm Tree Music Festival describes itself on its website as making "one of a kind music experiences" for fans.
Sources explained that people had consumed food which was left over from the music festival. This caused illnesses throughout the community. The illnesses were later identified as being caused by salmonella.
A resident of the North Sea area explained that a family friend was taken ill after attending a funeral on the reservation. He explained, "she was up on the res for a funeral and ate some food and spent two days in the hospital."
Per News 12 Long Island, the investigation into any other factors of the salmonella outbreak is still being investigated. A statement from Stony Brook Southampton hospital, where the majority of people were hospitalized, reads, "The majority of the patients were evaluated, treated and discharged."
"As required, SBSH promptly notified the New York State Department of Health to support its public health investigation."
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Doctors Have Explained How to Avoid Illness From Salmonella
Of course, this all does sound very scary. Doctors have explained that there could be a myriad of other causes than eating bad food.
Dr. Kostas Sideridis of Plainview Hospital explained, "You can get it from someone having it on their hands. They go to the bathroom, do not wash their hands, touch the doorknob, you touch the doorknob, you just got the bacteria."
But there are several ways to avoid salmonella in your daily life. One key part is handwashing. They say that "frequent handwashing" is very important, not only just for salmonella but for general hygiene.
The US Food Inspection and Safety Service have also released some key pointers on how to stay on guard against salmonella when cooking food. They read as follows:
The USFISS's Recommendations
SEPARATE: Don't Cross-contaminate
- Separate raw meat, poultry, and seafood from other foods in your grocery shopping cart and in your refrigerator.
- If possible, use one cutting board for fresh produce and a separate one for raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
- Always wash cutting boards, dishes, countertops, and utensils with hot soapy water after they come in contact with raw meat, poultry, and seafood.
- Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, or seafood.
COOK: Cook to Safe Temperatures
- Cook all raw ground beef, pork, lamb, and veal to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F as measured with a food thermometer.
- Cook all poultry to a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees F as measured with a food thermometer.
- Stuffed poultry is not recommended. Cook stuffing separately to 165 degrees F.
- Egg dishes, casseroles to 160 degrees F.
- Fish should reach 145 degrees F as measured with a food thermometer.
- Bring sauces, soups, and gravy to a boil when reheating.
- Reheat other leftovers thoroughly to at least 165 degrees F.
