Salmonella outbreak linked to Illinois Subway restaurants claims more victims

The number of Salmonella poisoning victims linked to Subway restaurants in Illinois is growing.

According to a report from The News Gazette (Springfield, Ill.), there are a total of 48 confirmed cases, a jump of more than a dozen since a previous report two weeks ago.

Cases have been reported from 18 counties in Illinois, including Champaign, Coles, Shelby, Bureau, Cass, Christian, Fulton, LaSalle, Macon, Marshall, Ogle, Peoria, Sangamon, Schuyler, Shelby, Tazewell, Warren, and Will counties.

People who ate at Subway restaurants between May 11 and May 18 appear to be at risk, and those confirmed cases have victims ranging in age from 3 to 88.

Victims have reported common symptoms of Salmonella poisoning – vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea – last up to one week.

Subway has reportedly been cooperating with local, state and federal health officials to identify the source of the contamination.

No other current food-borne bacterial outbreaks have been linked to Subway restaurants in other states.