Widespread salmonella outbreak sickens 12 in Va.

-- Twelve people in Virginia are among those sickened in a salmonella outbreak that has reportedly affected nearly 400 people in 42 states.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is leading the investigation but has not released the list of states or determined which foods may have caused people to become sick.

A Virginia Department of Health official said cases have been reported across the state, including one case in central Virginia and three cases in the northern part of the state. The cases include three children younger than 10 and four adults older than 50, said Phillip Giaramita, a spokesman for the Virginia Department of Health.

"The investigation is ongoing. We are assisting with that, primarily by interviewing people," Giaramita said.

The cases were reported Oct. 15 to Dec. 13. Giaramita said that seven of the 12 Virginia people sickened were hospitalized. All recovered, he said.

The type of bacterium causing the illness -- salmonella Typhimurium -- is a fairly common type of salmonella, but the particular strain is rare, Giaramita said.

The CDC has not named all the states involved, but news reports have identified Georgia, Ohio, Minnesota and California as among the states with cases.

Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment. Officials say steps to protect against the illness include using care when handling and preparing raw meat, and exercising frequent hand-washing.

Past multistate salmonella outbreaks have been associated with eating jalapeno peppers, cilantro, raw tomatoes, peanut butter, cereal and pot pies, and handling pet food.

Contact Tammie Smith at (804) 649-6572 or .