Investigation underway as salmonella outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts

South Australians are being warned not to eat a range of alfalfa sprout products after the sprouts were linked to 21 confirmed cases of salmonella.

Alfalfa Sprouts

South Australians are being warned not to eat a range of alfalfa sprout products. Source: Toronto Star

Health authorities have taken swift and appropriate action to contain an outbreak of salmonella linked to sprouts which struck down more than 20 people and put seven in hospital, Premier Steven Marshall says.

SA Health has confirmed 21 cases of salmonella havana linked to alfalfa sprouts produced by the SA Sprouts company.

Chief medical officer Paddy Phillips said it was often difficult to identify the source in cases of salmonella.

"However a joint investigation between SA Health, local government and Primary Industries and Regions SA has linked these cases to SA Sprouts alfalfa sprouts," Professor Phillips said.

"We are working closely with the producer and suppliers while we continue to investigate."
Mr Marshall said the outbreak was concerning to the government.

"We are notifying people and we are taking the corrective action which is necessary to keep the people of South Australia safe," the premier said on Thursday.
Prof Phillips said anyone who had purchased the SA Sprouts alfalfa sprouts was advised to return them to the place of purchase for a refund or throw them away.

"We also want to alert cafes and restaurants to check their suppliers and not serve any SA Sprouts alfalfa sprout products until further notice," he said.

Salmonella symptoms may surface between six and 72 hours after exposure and can last up to seven days.

Symptoms include fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, headaches, stomach cramps and loss of appetite.

There have been 751 confirmed cases of all types of salmonella in South Australia so far this year, compared to 829 at the same time last year.


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