More than 70 people in seven US states have fallen ill with salmonella. The outbreak is linked to eggs recalled from a distributor in California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

August Egg Company has recalled 1.7 million brown eggs from free-range hens and brown certified organic eggs sold under various brand names that “may be contaminated.”

Of the 79 people who fell ill, 21 were hospitalized.

There have been no reports of deaths, CNN reported.

The eggs were sold to restaurants and retailers in Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington, and Wyoming. They were distributed to many retail outlets, including Walmart, Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Safeway, Raleys, Food 4 Less, and Ralphs.

Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, weak or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. It can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in healthy people who become infected. | BGNES