Health Officials: No Reports Of Illness In El Paso Due To Eggs

In light of the latest information regarding the nationwide voluntary recall of eggs that now includes the state of Texas, the City of El Paso Department of Public Health is taking steps to ensure the public has accurate information regarding Salmonella enteristidis (ED).

As a part of these efforts a link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can now be found on the Department’s homepage at www.elpasotexas.gov/health under “Links to Helpful Information.”

In addition, call takers at the Department’s 2-1-1 Center will have information to help answer questions from area residents.

At this time no local cases of Salmonella have been reported to the department related to the recall.

Albertsons grocery stores in El Paso have announced that they are not affected by the egg recall as Albertsons stores in other parts of the country are. For more information on Albertsons and the recall, click here.

Salmonella enteritidis is a bacterium that can be on both the outside and inside of an egg that appears to be normal. If the egg is eaten raw or undercooked, the bacterium can cause illness. There are simple ways to reduce the risk of getting SE including:

1. Keep eggs refrigerated at 45 F (4.7 C) at all times.

2. Discard cracked or dirty eggs.

3. Wash hands, cooking utensils, and food preparation surfaces with soap and water after contact with raw eggs.

4. Eggs should be cooked until both the white and the yolk are firm and eaten promptly after cooking.

5. Do not keep eggs warm or at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

6. Refrigerate unused or leftover egg-containing foods promptly.

7. Avoid eating raw eggs.

8. Avoid restaurant dishes made with raw or undercooked, unpasteurized eggs. Restaurants should use pasteurized eggs in any recipe (such as Hollandaise sauce or Caesar salad dressing) that calls for raw eggs.

9. Consumption of raw or undercooked eggs should be avoided, especially by young children, elderly persons, and persons with weakened immune systems or debilitating illness.

Specific information regarding the items being recalled can be found at: www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm222501.htm.

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