Routine tests on dry dog food revealed the outbreak of human illnesses that so far has sickened at least 15 people in nine states and in Canada, and led to a huge recall of dry dog food sold under various brand names but all manufactured at Diamond Pets Food production plant in Gaston, SC.

Here are some questions and answers about the recall and outbreak.

How many people are sick?

As of May 3, at least 14 people in the U.S. were infected with the same strain of Salmonella Infantis that was found in samples of dry dog food produced by Diamond Pet Foods’ manufacturing plant in Gaston, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Five of the U.S. outbreak victims required hospitalization. Canada reports one outbreak-related case in Quebec.

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However, most foodborne illnesses occur in individuals who are not part of recognized outbreaks because they have not sought medical care or submitted a specimen for laboratory testing, so likely there are more people sick in this outbreak. For every confirmed case of Salmonella poisoning in an outbreak, the CDC estimates 29 others go unreported.

How can humans get sick from dry dog food?

People who handle contaminated dog food or touch an infected dog, especially if they don’t wash their hands afterward, can ingest the bacteria and get sick.

How many pets are sick?

We don’t know. As of May 8, Laura Alvey, spokeswoman for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine, said there had been no confirmed cases of pet illness linked to the recalled dog food. In order to confirm an outbreak-related case of Salmonella in a dog, a vet would have to submit a pet’s stool specimen for laboratory testing, which typically isn’t done.

Asked how many complaints of pet illness the FDA has received, Alvey said the agency can’t yet reveal that.

“The complaints come in from all around the country so we have to ensure that the numbers are correctly tallied and compiled (weed out duplicates, incomplete records, etc.) and they’re being consistently reported,” Alvey wrote in an email.

Which pet food brands have been recalled?

The recalled dog food was sold under at least 13 different brand names, plus several varieties within those brands, all manufactured in Diamond Pet Foods Gaston, SC facility between Dec. 9, 2011 and April 7, 2012.

The recalled pet food has a production code with a “2” or “3” in the 9th position AND an “X” in the 10th or 11th position. The production code may be on the back, side or bottom of the bag and is labeled with the words “PRODUCTION CODE.” The recalled products have best-before dates of Dec. 9, 2012 through April 7, 2013.

Phyllis Entis, on her eFoodAlert website, has been carefully tracking the recalls and updating the list. She has compiled the most comprehensive information on the recall (and we have tried to keep up with her updates in the story we reposted our website). Follow eFoodAlert’s information about the distribution of the pet food and other recall news here.

As of May 8, the recalled brands were:

– Apex Chicken and Rice Dog (40 lb. and 20 lb.) production code ACD0101B32; best by date 24-Jan-2013

– Canidae Dog Dry Dog Food, All Life Stages (All packages sizes; Best before date between December 9, 2011 through January 31, 2012; Production code must have the number “3‚Ä≥ in the 9th or 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Canidae Dog Dry Dog Food, Chicken Meal & Rice (All packages sizes; Best before date between December 9, 2011 through January 31, 2012; Production code must have the number “3‚Ä≥ in the 9th or 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Canidae Dog Dry Dog Food, Lamb Meal & Rice (All packages sizes; Best before date between December 9, 2011 through January 31, 2012; Production code must have the number “3‚Ä≥ in the 9th or 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Canidae Dog Dry Dog Food, Canidae Platinum (All packages sizes; Best before date between December 9, 2011 through January 31, 2012; Production code must have the number “3‚Ä≥ in the 9th or 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul (All package sizes and formulas; Best before dates between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013; Production codes have a number “2‚Ä≥ or “3‚Ä≥ in the 9th or 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Country Value (All package sizes and formulas; Best before dates between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013; Production codes have a number “2‚Ä≥ or “3‚Ä≥ in the 9th or 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Diamond (All package sizes and formulas; Best before dates between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013; Production codes have a number “2‚Ä≥ or “3‚Ä≥ in the 9th or 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Diamond Naturals (All package sizes and formulas; Best before dates between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013; Production codes have a number “2‚Ä≥ or “3‚Ä≥ in the 9th or 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Lamb, Rice & Vegetable Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production codes have a number “3‚Ä≥ in the 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production codes have a number “3‚Ä≥ in the 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Kirkland Signature Super Premium Mature Dog Chicken, Rice & Egg Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production codes have a number “3‚Ä≥ in the 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken & Vegetables (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production codes have a number “3‚Ä≥ in the 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production codes have a number “3‚Ä≥ in the 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula (December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production codes have a number “3‚Ä≥ in the 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Dogs (December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production codes have a number “3‚Ä≥ in the 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog (5 lb bag; Best by December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; March 13, 2013) (this is a corrected best-by date; the original news release contained a typographical error).

– Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog (15 lb bag; Best by December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; December 14, 2012; March 5, 2013; March 6, 2013)

– Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog (28 lb bag; Best by December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; December 14, 2012; March 5, 2013; March 6, 2013; March 7, 2013; March 8, 2013; March 12, 2013)

– Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog (5 lb, 15 lb, and 28 lb bags; Best by December 10, 2012; December 21, 2012; December 22, 2012)

– Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog (5 lb bag; Best by December 17, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 28, 2012; December 29, 2012)

– Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog (15 lb and 28 lb bags; Best by December 9, 2012; December 17, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 28, 2012; December 29, 2012)

– Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog (5 lb bag; Best by December 9, 2012)

– Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Large Breed Bites (28 lb bag; Best by December 12, 2012; December 20, 2012; December 21, 2012)

– Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Small Breed Bites (5 lb and 12.5 lb bags; Best by December 21, 2012)

– Premium Edge (All package sizes and formulas; Best before dates between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013; Production codes have a number “2‚Ä≥ or “3‚Ä≥ in the 9th or 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Professional (All package sizes and formulas; Best before dates between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013; Production codes have a number “2‚Ä≥ or “3‚Ä≥ in the 9th or 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– 4Health (All package sizes and formulas; Best before dates between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013; Production codes have a number “2‚Ä≥ or “3‚Ä≥ in the 9th or 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

– Solid Gold WolfKing Large Breed Adult Dog Food (4-lb pkg; Batch code starting with SGL1201; Best before December 30, 2012; UPC 093766750050)

– Solid Gold WolfKing Large Breed Adult Dog Food (15-lb bag; Batch code starting with SGL1201; Best before December 30, 2012; UPC 093766750067)

– Solid Gold WolfKing Large Breed Adult Dog Food (28.5-lb bag; Batch code starting with SGL1201; Best before December 30, 2012; UPC 093766750081)

– Solid Gold WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Food (4-lb pkg; Batch code starting with SGB1201; Best before December 30, 2012; UPC 093766750005)

– Solid Gold WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Food (15-lb bag; Batch code starting with SGB1201; Best before December 30, 2012; UPC 093766750012)

– Solid Gold WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Food (33-lb bag; Batch code starting with SGB1201; Best before December 30, 2012; UPC 093766750029)

– Taste of the Wild (All package sizes and formulas; Best before dates between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013; Production codes have a number “2‚Ä≥ or “3‚Ä≥ in the 9th or 10th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)

РWellness Complete Health® Super5Mix® Large Breed Puppy (15 lb. and 30 lb. bags and 5 oz. sample bags; best by dates of JAN 9 2013 through JAN 11 2013)

The FDA says it will continue to update recall information here.

I threw away the bag my dog food came in. How do I know if I have been feeding my pets the recalled dry dog food?

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Diamond Pet Foods says that If you purchased the bag after Dec. 9, 2011, in any of the “blue” states shown on its map, or if you purchased the bag from an online retailer, you should discard the food.

The company says that to request a refund or a coupon for a new bag, you should fill out and send in its “Refund Request” form. If you don’t have the production codes or best-before dates, Diamond says to include the retailer name and location and the amount you paid for the bag. Or, the company says you can return the food in the bag to your retailer for a credit for your purchase.

How did the dog food become contaminated with Salmonella?

According to the FDA’s Alvey, as of May 8, “Diamond has not found the root cause of this issue.”

How CAN dog food become contaminated?

Marion Nestle, writing in her blog Food Politics, explains,”Canned pet foods are sterile. Dry kibble is not. It may be sterile at the point of extrusion, but it is a perfect growth medium for bacteria. It is nutritionally complete. Although some nutrients are lost during processing, the product formulas compensate for such losses. That is why dogs can survive on ‘complete and balanced’ dry foods. If the factory is contaminated with Salmonella, the bacteria can fall into the production lines and get packaged into the kibble bags.”

What are the signs that a dog is sick from Salmonella poisoning?

According to the CDC, dogs infected with Salmonella can have diarrhea, vomiting and may seem lethargic with decreased appetites. But dogs are also relatively resistant to the bacterium. They can be infected, yet not appear to be sick. Because an infected pet can transmit the pathogen to humans, it is important to wash one’s hands after touching an animal.

What should I do if my dog is sick?

Take your dog to the veterinarian.

The FDA urges veterinarians and consumers to report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in their state, or electronically through the Safety Reporting Portal.

The CDC advises that pet food that has been recalled should be assumed to be contaminated and does not need to be tested. However, if a product has not been recalled but an animal that ate it is ill, it is very important to report the case to FDA.

If the owner wishes to have the pet food tested by a private laboratory, the CDC says to please keep in mind that it may be costly to have numerous tests conducted on the sample. Contact your state/local public health or agriculture laboratory, or state/ university veterinary diagnostic labs for information on how to collect and ship a potentially contaminated pet food or treat sample.

How was this outbreak discovered?

Michigan officials detected Salmonella Infantis in an unopened retail bag of Diamond Naturals Lamb Meal and Rice Dry Dog Food on April 2.

Diamond Pet Foods recalled that product on April 6.

After Ohio public health investigators found the outbreak strain of Salmonella in two bags of Diamond Brand Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul Adult Light Formula dry dog food, that product was recalled on April 26.

On April 30, the company expanded its recall to include Diamond Puppy Formula dry dog food.

Dog foods manufactured at the Gaston plant but sold under different brand names were not recalled until after the CDC reported the outbreak of human illnesses.