Trump Hit With Another Outbreak After Lettuce Scandal

A multistate salmonella outbreak has sickened nearly 100 people across 17 states and has been linked to millions of recalled eggs, though federal health officials say the recalled products may not explain every reported illness. The outbreak comes as the Trump administration is already dealing with scrutiny over a recent nationwide lettuce recall, adding another major food safety issue involving eggs.

Federal health officials announced last week that nearly 1.6 million cartons of white and cage-free brown eggs produced in Texas were recalled because of possible salmonella contamination. The recalled eggs were distributed to grocery stores and food service customers across several Southern states, including Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi and New Mexico.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have connected the recalled eggs to an ongoing salmonella outbreak that has now spread across 17 states. However, investigators say the recalled eggs do not account for every illness reported, suggesting another source of contamination may also be involved.

As of the latest CDC update, 98 people have become ill, with 26 requiring hospitalization. No deaths have been reported. Health officials caution that the true number of infections is likely much higher because many people recover without seeking medical care or being tested.

Texas has reported the overwhelming majority of confirmed cases with 73 infections, but illnesses have also been identified in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia.

According to the FDA, illnesses linked to the outbreak began as early as late November, with the most recent reported case occurring on June 30. While investigators identified the recalled eggs as a common source among many patients, officials emphasized that additional investigations are underway to determine whether other contaminated food products also contributed to the outbreak.

Salmonella infections typically cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, with symptoms usually appearing between six hours and six days after exposure. Most healthy adults recover within a week without treatment, but young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of severe illness and hospitalization.

In more serious cases, salmonella can spread beyond the digestive system and lead to complications such as bloodstream infections, heart infections and arthritis.

The latest outbreak adds to growing concerns over food safety after the recent lettuce recall, leaving the Trump administration facing renewed attention over another large-scale recall involving products found in grocery stores across multiple states.