Nearly five times as many cases of the food-borne illness salmonella enteritidis have been detected by the NC State Laboratory of Public Health so far this year as compared to the first six months in 2004. The Lab has detected more cases of the bacterial infection this year to date than in the past three years put together for the same time period, indicating a troubling rise in S. enteritidis cases statewide.

Surrounding states are experiencing similar increases in Salmonella enteritidis. No common source has yet been identified for the North Carolina outbreak, so health officials are continuing their investigation. However, recent outbreaks of the illness in nearby states have largely been associated with eggs, as have several of North Carolina’s previous outbreaks.