COVINGTON, Ga. -- About 70 people have taken ill as part of a salmonella outbreak in Newton County.
Four people have been hospitalized, according to the Newton County health department.
Officials believe the outbreak to be linked to a private, invitation-only event on April 28 that was catered by Plain Nuts Catering & Deli.
During the investigation, additional cases of gastrointestinal illness, including one confirmed case of salmonella, was reported among individuals in who did not attend the event but had consumed food prepared by the same caterer.
On May 15, more illnesses, including a confirmed case of salmonella, among individuals attending a separate function held in Social Circle, Ga., were also reported.
There is no indication of an ongoing threat of salmonella infections related to this outbreak, officials said.
The department said salmonella is a bacterial illness that can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Illness may be severe, but most individuals recover without treatment.
Illness generally begins 12 to 72 hours after infection and can last for four to seven days. The CDC reports that salmonella causes approximately 1.2 million illnesses per year.
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