2013 Outbreak of Salmonellosis at an Ecuadorian Festival, Minnesota

More than 119 people were sickened with Salmonella at a street festival held in Minneapolis on August 11, 2013. Eleven people were hospitalized. Several serotype were identified. These included Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Uganda, Salmonella serotype I4,[5]12:1:-, Salmonella Chailey, Salmonella Infantis, and Salmonella Anatum.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) concluded that roasted pork purchased from a Minneapolis market and resold at the street festival was the "likely initial source" of the outbreak. The organizer of the festival, New York Plaza Produce, was fined $1,000 for violations associated with the festival including the illegal slaughter of guinea pigs for food. New York Plaza Produce owner, Nieves Riera, bought three whole pigs from Shuang Hur BBQ. MDA determined that the pork probably had low levels of Salmonella when Riera purchased it and that the pathogen grew and spread through cross-contamination.

Overview

Outbreak began:August 2013
Affected country:US
States/territories:MN
Pathogen:Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Uganda, Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:-, Salmonella Chailey, Salmonella Infantis, Salmonella Anatum
Vehicle(s):Pork
Location(s):Festival
Brand name(s):New York Plaza Produce, Shuang Hur BBQ
Molecular test results:Not reported

Health impact

Total ill:119
Number hospitalized:11

Sources & documents

Outbreak documents