The U.S. Department of Agriculture now says a nationwide egg recall that began in August represents a “public health hazard” due to salmonella contamination. Officials say there is a “reasonable probability that use of the product will result in serious adverse health consequences or death.” .”

The recall, which affects eggs marked “Milo’s Poultry Farms” or “Tony’s Fresh Market,” began in August. As of Sept. 30, the Food and Drug Administration had classified it as “Class I,” which represents the highest risk on the FDA’s scale.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, a Class I recall is a health hazard situation where there is a “reasonable probability that use of the product will result in serious adverse health effects or death.”

The recall tied to a Midwest supplier includes more than 345,000 dozen eggs, officials said. More than 60 people have become sick in nine states, including Illinois, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While the recall continues, here’s what you should know.

Why were the eggs recalled?

According to the CDC, the recall was initiated after the FDA said samples tested positive for the bacteria. The FDA also conducted whole genome sequencing and determined that the samples were related to an ongoing Salmonella outbreak investigation, the CDC added.

Consumers who purchased eggs from Milo’s Poultry Farms or Tony’s Fresh Market are urged not to consume them, the CDC said.

According to the CDC, Milos Poultry Farms, LLC. has stopped production and sales and is undergoing “appropriate inspection and rehabilitation of farms and processing equipment.”

Which egg brand is affected by the recall?

The recall involves eggs labeled “Milo’s Poultry Farms” or “Tony’s Fresh Market.”

The eggs were supplied by Milos Poultry Farms of Bonduel, Wisconsin, with the Food & Drug Administration confirming that the same strain of salmonella was found in the packing plant and the chicken egg house.

The recall affects all types of eggs, including conventional, cage-free, organic and non-GMO eggs. It also lists all box sizes and expiry dates.

A photo of one of the recalled boxes can be found below.

Where were the eggs sold?

According to the CDC, the recalled eggs were sold in restaurants and stores in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.

However, illnesses have been reported in several other states.

How many people have fallen ill so far?

The CDC confirmed in a statement on its website that 65 people in nine states were infected with a strain of salmonella and 24 were hospitalized. The states include Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Virginia, Colorado, Utah and California, the agency said.

According to the CDC, 11 of those sickened were in Illinois and 42 were in Wisconsin.

What should you do if you have the recalled eggs?

According to the CDC, consumers who purchased eggs from Milo’s Poultry Farms or Tony’s Fresh Market are strongly advised not to consume them.

The CDC recommends that those who have the recalled eggs wash any surfaces the eggs may have touched with hot, soapy water.

Symptoms to watch out for

According to the CDC, most people infected with salmonella experience symptoms such as diarrhea, fever or stomach cramps.

Symptoms typically begin six hours to six days after ingesting the bacteria. Many recover without treatment between four and seven days after infection.

However, some may develop a more severe illness that requires medical treatment or hospitalization. Those most at risk are children under 5, adults aged 65 and over and people with weakened immune systems.

The CDC recommends that anyone experiencing the following symptoms contact their doctor:

• Diarrhea and fever over 38°C
• Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
• Bloody diarrhea
• Vomiting so much that you can’t keep your fluids down
• Signs of dehydration, such as:
  • Not peeing much
  • Dry mouth and throat
  • Feeling dizzy when standing up

Further information can be found here.

Why might this outbreak be difficult to treat?

The CDC warned that the outbreak could be difficult to treat with commonly recommended antibiotics and that a different choice of antibiotic may be needed for those who need medication.

Laboratory testing of this strain found it to be resistant to both nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin, which may require different forms of treatment for those affected.

What else you should know

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced new measures to limit salmonella in poultry products in July. The proposed directive required poultry companies to keep salmonella levels below a certain threshold and to test for the presence of six particularly pathogenic forms of the bacteria, three of which are found in turkeys and three in chickens.

Bacteria beyond the proposed standard and the identification of any of these strains would prevent the sale of poultry and result in the products having to be recalled.

The CDC estimates that salmonella causes 1.35 million infections annually, most of them through food, and causes about 420 deaths. The Department of Agriculture estimates that there are 125,000 infections from chickens and 43,000 from turkeys each year.