Houston boy sickened in salmonella outbreak

HOUSTON – One of the five Texans sickened by a strain of salmonella that is resistant to antibiotics is from Houston.

According to the City of Houston Health Department, a Houston boy between the ages of one and five was reported with the illness in early August. A health department spokesperson said the boy made a full recovery.

The health department said it has not been determined if the boy ate chicken from Foster Farms; but, did say the boy had recently eaten chicken.

According to a public health alert issued Monday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Foster Farms' raw chicken products made at three California sites may have sickened nearly 300 people in 18 states.

Preventing the spread of the bacteria is as simple as washing your hands and keeping counter tops and utensils clean. Also, chicken should be cooked completely to 165 degrees.

Foster Farms officials said the chicken is safe to eat if cooked properly. It has also set up a consumer hotline at 1-800-338-8051.