A salmonella outbreak has caused illness among 73 people in across 31 states in America. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the outbreak is related to the consumption of Kellogg's Honey Smacks cereal. Of the ones affected by the outbreak, 24 of them had been hospitalised and no deaths have been reported so far.

Following the outbreak, several of the cereal products were recalled this week by the company. After the incident, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised consumers not to use cereal boxes that have a "best if used by" date of June 14, 2018, through June 14, 2019, on the tops of 15.3-ounce and 23-ounce packages of Honey Smacks. They have also advised users to wash any containers used to store the cereal.

This is the second salmonella outbreak in the United States due to food. In May the disease sickened around 60 people. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) had later linked the illness to pre-cut watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe and mixed fruit in eight states. After being contacted by the FDA and CDC, Kellogg launched an investigation with the third-party manufacturer who produces Honey Smacks.

How to identify Salmonella

According to the CDC, consumption or use of products infested with salmonella may cause serious illness. It can also result in fatal infections in young children, elderly and those with week immune systems. Others may experience fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. The illness lasts up to four to seven days and people mostly recover without treatment. However, if the organisms get into the bloodstream it can cause severe illness.

"The FDA's staff has initiated an inspection at the facility that manufactures Kellogg's Honey Smacks and is working quickly with the company to collect additional information," the agency said in a statement. FDA has advised people who think they have salmonella to consult a doctor and not administer drugs themselves.

The product was sold by retailers in the United States, including Guam and Saipan. Outside of the United States, the cereal was distributed in Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten, the Bahamas, Barbados, Tortola, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Haiti, Mexico, Panama, and Tahiti.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 16, 2018 12:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).