The Ohio Department of Health says it is investigating the multi-state Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak.

Ohio health officials say they are participating in a nationwide investigation to try to identify the contaminated food vehicle for an outbreak of salmonellosis that has been going on since last October.

Ohio ranks second in the nation for number of cases. Fifty cases have been identified in Ohio residents. Cases match each other by their DNA fingerprint, and thus appear to have a common origin.

The department says Ohioans can protect themselves by avoiding Salmonella infection. This involves taking care when handling raw meat, washing hands between food preparation and tending to infants or small children, cooking meat dishes
thoroughly and not eating raw or undercooked meat.

For more information from Ohio health officials, go here.