A salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated eggs has infected 98 people across 17 U.S. states, according to an investigation led by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

So far, 26 people have been hospitalized, while no deaths have been reported.

Salmonella infections can cause symptoms including high fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and severe abdominal pain. In vulnerable groups such as older adults, young children and people with weakened immune systems, the infection can spread to the bloodstream and lead to serious, potentially life-threatening complications.

Following the outbreak, the FDA increased the risk classification of a major egg recall involving products produced by Midwest Poultry Services to Class I, the agency’s highest and most serious recall category.

A Class I recall is issued when consumption or exposure to a product is considered likely to cause serious health problems or death.

The company began a voluntary recall process in July 2026 after detecting Salmonella Enteritidis during routine environmental monitoring and internal inspections at two facilities in Texas.

The initial recall involved more than 1.5 million dozen eggs, or approximately 38 million individual eggs, including brown and white shell eggs distributed to consumers.

After FDA assessments, the recall was upgraded to Class I, leading to increased inspections and public health warnings.

Midwest Poultry Services said it has completely stopped distributing fresh eggs from the affected Texas facilities and is cooperating with authorities to identify the source of contamination and eliminate the risk.(ILKHA)