State confirms salmonella strain in woman's case

TRANSFER, Pa. -- Patty Schuster said the state has confirmed that the strain of salmonella she suffered after eating a turkey sandwich from the local Sheetz Inc. convenience store is the same strain that has affected about 200 people in the disease outbreak.
Schuster, 42, of Speirs Shadeland Estates, bought the sandwich July 13 and said it contained lettuce and tomatoes. She began feeling ill the next day, the same day that Sheetz voluntarily pulled all lettuce and tomatoes from its 300 stores in an effort to quell the outbreak.
The Department of Health said it has determined that the outbreak could be traced to Roma tomatoes.
Schuster said she at first thought she had the flu, but, after learning of the food poisoning outbreak and at the urging of relatives, decided to go to the hospital where tests confirmed she had salmonella.
Schuster, who missed three days of work at the Sky Bank branch in Kinsman, said the Department of Health confirmed that she suffered from the Javiana strain of salmonella, the same strain found in other victims.
She was able to return to work but said Monday that she still feels tired and drained.
Schuster said Sheetz is aware of her case and she is waiting to hear from the company.
She said she would like to be reimbursed for the lost days of work and for medical costs incurred and not covered by her insurance.