Salmonella cases near 100 at St. Louis hospital

ST. LOUIS -- The number of cases of salmonella in an outbreak at St. Louis Children's Hospital has reached 99 and could go a little higher.

The hospital has not yet isolated the source of the bacterial infections.

She said the number of cases could rise because tests are still pending on a few people. The most recent salmonella case was confirmed Friday.

The cafeteria at the hospital was closed June 6 after city health officials learned that three hospital employees had contracted the intestinal illness.

The hospital has taken samples from more than 400 people who visited the hospital or ate in the cafeteria since May 1. The cafeteria reopened June 15 after two days of cleaning.

Salmonella can be found on several kinds of food, but especially on raw meat, eggs, dairy products and seafood. It is blamed for 1,000 deaths every year and 40,000 cases of salmonellosis. The illness causes diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Children, the elderly and people with weak immune systems are vulnerable.