CHAPTICO, Md - Maryland Health officials say more than 350 people became ill after eating at a church supper and they are awaiting autopsies to determine the cause of death for two others.
The officials say they have not confirmed that the deaths are attributable to salmonella that is believed to have caused the illnesses.
Mary Novotny, spokeswoman for St. Mary's County Health Department, said "We have over 350 people who have been confirmed who are ill. We know of two people who have died who ate the food. We have not confirmed that their deaths are attributed to the salmonella outbreak."
About 1400 people took part in the dinner at Our Lady of the Wayside in Chaptico, Md. It's not clear yet exactly which dish made them ill. Among the items available were fried oysters, turkey and stuffed ham. If the culprit was salmonella, it would be the worst outbreak in Maryland in five years.
The pastor of Our Lady of the Wayside says the whole parish is in shock over the incident.
Salmonella bacteria can be carried by any raw food from animals, such as meat, poultry, raw milk or fish. If not cooked properly, the bacteria can survive and cause illness in people who ingest the food.
The dinner was attended by people from all over Maryland and from several other states. Officials say people from as far away as California have reported being sick.
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