PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The outbreak of turkey tainted with salmonella has spread across half of America and investigators have no idea where it’s coming from.

Health officials said four cases of salmonella linked to the ground turkey outbreak have been reported in Allegheny County.

Their investigation is focusing on the cases of salmonella poisoning linked to ground turkey and how people became ill and where the turkey they ate came from.

“The source of where you purchase it really has nothing to do with it. It’s not contaminated. It’s contaminated when it’s ground at the food processing plant. It’s not contaminated during its passage through the food chain,” Dr. Bruce Dixon from the Allegheny County Health Department said. “Half of the tests show salmonella in turkey.”

The CDC said 76 people in 26 states have been affected so far. One of those cases was fatal. The four reported cases in Pennsylvania left people sick, but none were serious.

“None of the cases here are hospitalized. None of them are fatal, Everyone is recovered. It is something you don’t want to get simply because it does make you feel bad for a period of time,” Dr. Dixon said.

For those who are concerned about eating the ground turkey, Dr. Dixon said to cook it until the juice turns clear and you will not become ill.

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