The CDC has released a graph that compares the recent salmonella outbreak associated with eggs to the number of cases of the disease that would be expected without an unusual amount of tainted food on the market.

The CDC says that they first identified a nationwide increase in the number of Salmonella Enteritidis cases back in May. They are still doing research to determine how many of the cases are related to the outbreak, because, according to their data there were quite a few “expected” cases of this disease.

Because of the large number of expected cases during this period, standard methods of molecular subtyping alone are not sufficient to determine which reported cases might be outbreak-associated. CDC is currently conducting testing using advanced molecular methodologies to help distinguish between outbreak-related cases and sporadic (or background) cases.

Both the CDC and the FDA are currently looking for the source of the infection, by testing chicken feed among other strategies.

Isn’t science neat? Remember to check your egg cartons for the recall codes, kids.

Investigation Update: Multistate Outbreak of Human Salmonella Enteritidis Infections Associated with Shell Eggs [CDC]

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