The number of people sickened by a salmonella outbreak has risen to at least 32 in Los Angeles, health officials said on Friday. (File Photo)

The outbreak which was first detected on Oct. 15 was traced to a kitchen that supplies cooking to 39 preschools run by Volunteers of America of Greater Los Angeles, said president of this non-profit organization Bob Pratt.

The victims fell ill with salmonella infection after eating meals prepared by the kitchen, the LACDPH said.

Two days after the outbreak was detected, public health officials closed the central kitchen, and asked it to throw away the remaining food and thoroughly clean the kitchen. The central kitchen reopened this week, Pratt said.

More cases might show up as officials were continuing to interview people who had fallen ill, said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of the LACDPH, noting that “It’s a large outbreak because it is a central kitchen supplying food to so many preschools”.

Salmonella is a bacteria — usually found in poultry, eggs and meat — that attacks the stomach and intestines. It causes diarrhea or constipation, headaches, nausea, fever, stomach cramps and vomiting, and is typically spread by improper disinfecting in food preparation.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet