ATLANTA – Sixty-three cases were added to an investigation of a multi-state outbreak of multi-drug resistant Salmonella Reading illnesses linked to raw turkey products, the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention reported. The case patients are from 24 states and the District of Columbia.

As of Feb. 13, 279 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading have been reported in 41 states. Of that number 107 individuals have been hospitalized and one person in California died, according to the CDC.

Additionally, the Public Health Agency of Canada identified case patients infected with Salmonella Reading bacteria with the same DNA fingerprint.

CDC said epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicated that raw turkey products from a variety of sources were contaminated with Salmonella Reading. People sickened in the outbreak reported eating different types and brands of turkey products purchased from different locations; and four case patients lived in households where raw turkey pet food was fed to pets, the agency said.

At least four product recalls occurred because of the outbreak. Woody’s Pet Food Deli in Minnesota recalled raw turkey pet food on Jan. 28, 2019.

In December 2018, Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales LLC in Faribault, Minnesota, recalled an additional 164,210 lbs. of raw ground turkey products following a November recall of 147,276 lbs. of raw ground turkey products.

And in February 2018, Raws for Paws in Minneapolis recalled 4,000 lbs. of its ground turkey pet food.