Erie County’s recent salmonellosis outbreak that sickened 54 people originated at two private events. County health officials continue to investigate the outbreak, which occurred in September and October and left two people hospitalized. Both victims have since recovered.

"We don’t see this as a threat to the public health," said Charlotte Berringer, R.N., director of community health services for the Erie County Department of Health. "No licensed Erie County vendors supplied the food. Most of the food was homemade."
 
The private events were unrelated and caused different strains of the food-borne, bacterial illness.
 
"The best ways to prevent getting salmonellosis is to cook your food properly, and wash your hands after using the bathroom and before preparing food," Berringer said.
 
County health officials have not yet traced the outbreak to particular foods. If they do, they can alert a grower or grocery store to possible contamination and avoid additional cases of salmonellosis.