Second Minnesotan dies of salmonella

The latest victim in Minnesota was an elderly man living in a nursing home who had other health problems.

By JOSEPHINE MARCOTTY, Star Tribune

Last update: January 15, 2009 - 12:01 AM

A second death in Minnesota has been reported in connection with the nationwide salmonella outbreak, the Minnesota Department of Health said Wednesday.

The second victim was an elderly man with underlying health conditions, making it difficult to say whether the salmonella poisoning was directly responsible, officials said.

The first death was an elderly woman who also had other health problems. The two were among 12 nursing home residents who became ill in the outbreak that in Minnesota is linked to King Nut Peanut Butter, sold to institutions.

Health officials also raised the overall number of salmonella cases detected in the state to 33, up from 30. Twelve of those cases were residents of long-term care facilities, including the two people who died. Thirteen of the victims were hospitalized.

Federal health officials have also confirmed that two Virginia deaths are linked to the national outbreak that has sickened more than 400 people.

The investigation is focused on peanut butter distributed to food suppliers in seven states by the Ohio-based King Nut company, and, nationally, by the Peanut Corp. of America in Lynchburg, Va., which manufactures and distributes institutional brands.

Both companies have issued voluntary recalls of suspect lots of peanut butter. The Peanut Corp. recalled lots made at a plant in Blakely, Ga., on or after July 1, 2008, and sold under the brand name Parnell's Pride and by the King Nut Co. as King Nut.

Peanut Corp. supplies peanut paste to Kellogg, which asked stores nationwide to pull peanut butter crackers sold under the Austin and Keebler brands. Kellogg, of Battle Creek, Mich., said it hasn't found problems with those products, but is recalling them as a precaution.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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