Salmonella cases reported in Hancock County

Several northwest Ohio residents have recently gotten sick with salmonella believed to be linked to a specific type of cookie that has since been recalled. Hannah Plumley, epidemiologist and emergency response coordinator with Hancock Public Health, said Thursday that the health department has recorded four confirmed cases and one probable case among Hancock County residents. Two of the five sick people were hospitalized, Plumley said. All five individuals reported becoming ill after having consumed a very specific pumpkin pie cookie, Plumley said. Samples have been sent to the Ohio Department of Health for testing, so the link has not been officially confirmed, but "we're suspecting it at this time," Plumley said. The Ohio Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday on behalf of Bluffton Baking Co. that, "out of an abundance of caution," the company was recalling its pumpkin pie stuffed cheesecake cookies because of a possible link to salmonella illnesses. People who had purchased the cookies from Sept. 30 through Oct. 4 in Hancock or Putnam county markets were advised not to consume them. Plumley said that the outbreak appears linked to a specific cookie from a batch that was only on the shelves for a few days. She doesn't expect it to become widespread. But if anyone has an uneaten cookie matching this description, "we would advise them to not eat it at this point," Plumley said. One confirmed case has been recorded in Allen County so far, said Allen County Health Commissioner Brandon Fischer. It is believed to be linked to the same cookies, but health officials are investigating further. A confirmed Allen County case means that the individual is a resident of Allen County — not that they purchased the cookie in Allen County. Fischer said the cookies are believed to mostly have been sold in Hancock County. Both Fischer and Plumley said anyone who thinks they may have gotten sick in relation to this outbreak can call their local health department to help with the investigation. Symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. Most people have only mild symptoms that resolve on their own, Plumley said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that most people recover without specific treatment and should not take antibiotics, which are typically used only to treat people who have, or are at risk for, severe illness. Most people develop symptoms six hours to six days after infection. Symptoms may last four to seven days. The CDC estimates Salmonella bacteria cause about 1.35 million infections, 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths in the United States every year. Food is the source for most of these illnesses. Fischer added that salmonella, and other foodborne illnesses, can be spread if an infected person isn't careful about handwashing or safety while preparing food. He urged people to use caution. Salmonella can also be transmitted through contact with animals, including pet turtles, chicks and ducklings. The Putnam County Health Department did not respond to a message by deadline.