Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 278 During Government Shutdown

A recent salmonella outbreak has brought back 30 furloughed workers for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NPR reports, after 278 people in 18 states were sickened with salmonella.

Of those 278 people, at least 42 percent have been hospitalized, USA Today reports. The outbreak has since been linked to Foster Farms chicken, produced at three California plants.

"This outbreak shows that it is a terrible time for government public health officials to be locked out of their offices and labs, and for government websites to go dark," Caroline Smith DeWaal, from the Center for Science in the Public Interest, said. The CDC has since brought back 30 furloughed workers, 10 of whom work in the foodborne division.

Meanwhile, Foster Farms has noted that it is working with USDA inspectors and the CDC, saying no recall has been issued. According to Foster Farms, the inspections have not been affected by the shutdown.

Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, cramps, and fevers, starting eight to 72 hours after eating a contaminated product.