In the case-control study, the odds ratio for alfalfa sprouts was 29, with the 95% confidence interval 7.5 - 545.2. Answer these questions 1. Is this odds ratio statistically significant? Please explain. 2. Do you think there is a causal relationship between exposure (eating alfalfa sprouts) and disease? Please explain (using the applicable criteria under "Does Association Mean Causality" in your modular homepage) Please see attached file.

On May 7, this report was posted as an MMWR Early Release on the MMWR website (http://www(dot)cdc(dot)gov/mmwr).

On February 24, 2009, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services identified six isolates of Salmonella serotype Saintpaul with collection dates from February 7--14. Salmonella Saintpaul is not a commonly detected serotype; during 2008, only three Salmonella Saintpaul isolates were identified in Nebraska. This report summarizes the preliminary results of the investigation of this outbreak, which has identified 228 cases in 13 states and implicated the source as alfalfa sprouts produced at multiple facilities using seeds that likely originated from a common grower. On April 26, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CDC recommended that consumers not eat raw alfalfa sprouts, including sprout blends containing alfalfa sprouts, until further notice. On May 1, FDA alerted sprout growers and retailers that a seed supplier was withdrawing voluntarily from the market all lots of alfalfa seeds with a specific three-digit prefix.