Dozens of people across nine states have contracted salmonella from a rogue batch of eggs.
The outbreak started with a few hospitalizations in April, but the CDC warns it shows no signs of letting up.
As of today, 35 people across the East Coast, and in Colorado, have be sickened by the eggs, which are sold nationwide in stores and eateries, from Walmart to Waffle House.
Officials have traced the illness back to one farm in North Carolina, which has been forced to recall 207 million eggs.
As of Monday, 35 people across the East Coast, and in Colorado, have be sickened by the eggs, which are sold nationwide in stores and eateries, from Walmart to Waffle House
None of the victims have died, but 11 are being treated in hospital.
The most infections were in New York (eight) and Virginia (eight), followed by Pennsylvania (six) and North Carolina (five).
A salmonella infection typically causes severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and a fever a day or two after being exposed to the bacteria, Salmonella enteritidis.
It is not usually life-threatening, except in children and the elderly who have weaker immune systems.
However, it can lead to severe complications if a sufferer becomes severely dehydrated from their diarrhea.
Also, in some rare cases, the bacteria can enter the blood stream, infecting the tissues.
In those cases, the person is hospitalized for intensive treatment.
The affected eggs were produced in a North Carolina facility owned by Indiana’s Rose Acre Farms.
They had a best by date of April 2 and April 3, according to the CDC.
While that date is long past, the CDC insists the sicknesses they have recorded were all caused by bacteria in the eggs, rather than the eggs being ‘off’.
There are two main ways Salmonella enteritidis gets into eggs, according to the CDC.
First, the egg shell can come into contact with feces when it comes out of the hen.
Second, sick hens can often appear symptom-less and lay seemingly healthy eggs, but may have infected the eggs before they were laid.
There are moves to bolster chickens’ immune systems to protect them – and, in turn, us – from salmonella.