Salmonella Oranienburg infections associated with fruit salad served in health-care facilities–northeastern United States and Canada, 2006

During June-July 2006, a total of 41 culture-confirmed Salmonella serotype Oranienburg infections were diagnosed in persons in 10 northeastern U.S. states and one Canadian province. This report describes the epidemiologic, environmental, and laboratory investigations of this outbreak by federal, state, and local health agencies; the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The results of the investigations determined that illness was associated with eating fruit salad in health-care facilities. Although the fruit salads were produced by one processing plant, the source of contamination was not determined. This outbreak highlights the importance of laboratory-based surveillance of Salmonella, including molecular subtyping, and timely communication of public health information.