Salmonella Outbreak from Raw Alfalfa Sprouts

A salmonella bacteria outbreak downstate has made 12 people sick.

2 of them have needed hospital stays.

The Michigan Departments of Agriculture and Community Health have issued a public health alert.

The 2 agencies are asking everyone in the state to not eat raw alfalfa sprouts until the origin of the outbreak can be pinned down.

Officials say they’ve confirmed 12 cases of salmonella in 7 southern Michigan counties.

The onset of all 12 people’s illnesses was between mid-August and mid-September.

Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and cramps within 12 to 72 hours.

The symptoms usually last 4 to 7 days.