On August 14, 2012 the Nebraska Department of Health announced that it was investigating an outbreak of Salmonella associated with the Blue Hill Care Center. As of that date there were 20 confirmed and probable cases of Salmonella reported in residents, staff, and/or visitors. Four residents of Blue Hill Care Center were hospitalized after showing symptoms of Salmonella infection. A visitor was still hospitalized as of August 14, 2012.
Symptoms of Salmonella infections are on a broad range, but the most common symptom is acute gastroenteritis. Some other symptoms include fever, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, headache and body aches. Approximately 20% of cases each year require hospitalization. Salmonella can have more complications for people 65 years of age or older; they are much more likely to require hospitalization and have a higher risk of death.
It is possible that this Salmonella outbreak is linked to a multistate Salmonella outbreak traced back to contaminated cantaloupes on August 17.