ORLAND, Maine — On Thursday, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) issued a recall for eggs from Rainbow Farm located in Orland amid a salmonella outbreak.
The consumption of eggs from Rainbow Farm was identified as the source of the outbreak by the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a news release from the DACF.
At least five people have reportedly become ill and tested positive for salmonellosis after eating eggs from Rainbow Farm.
"Production and distribution of the eggs has been halted while the farm undergoes necessary testing, farm sanitization, processing equipment cleaning, and potential culling of affected laying hens," according to the release. The DACF says it along with its Animal Health Program are working with Rainbow Farm to mitigate the issue.
People who have eggs from Rainbow Farm are advised to throw them away or return them to the location they were purchased from for a refund. Those who consume the eggs may be at an elevated risk of contracting salmonellosis.
The Rainbow Farm eggs were distributed from the following locations, according to the release:
- Rainbow Farm
- Bar Harbor (Eden) Farmers Market
- Blue Hill Farmers Market
- Northeast Harbor Farmers Market
- Stonington Farmers Market
- FarmDrop
Symptoms of salmonellosis usually begin six to 72 hours after exposure, and include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and headache, the release stated. Symptoms can last up to a week, but may become more severe in vulnerable populations such as older adults, infants, and immunocompromised individuals.
Most people recover from salmonellosis without treatment, but antibiotics may be prescribed in severe cases.
The DACF asks those with salmonellosis to report their case to the Maine CDC at 1-800-821-5821.
For more information on salmonellosis and how to mitigate exposure, click here.
