San Diego County Salmonella Cases Rise to 21 as Investigation Expands Beyond Ramona Deli

Key points

• San Diego County officials reported 21 total cases and seven hospitalizations as of August 18, 2026, up from 13 cases and four hospitalizations reported on July 28.
• The outbreak was initially traced to mayonnaise made with raw, unpasteurized eggs at Ramona Family Naturals Market, which has since ceased using raw eggs in its products.
• Investigators identified Happy Hens, a local egg supplier, as the source of the contaminated eggs, prompting the county to contact retail food facilities that may have received its products.
• Health officials are investigating additional cases involving the same Salmonella strain that are not linked to the Ramona market, indicating a broader distribution issue.
• The county emphasized that this outbreak is unrelated to the separate Midwest shell-egg recall that sickened 98 people across 17 states.

Background

Our earlier coverage from late July 2026 established that San Diego County health officials began investigating Ramona Family Naturals Market after 13 individuals were sickened by Salmonella, believed to be from mayonnaise made with raw eggs. At that time, four individuals were hospitalized, and the market agreed to stop using raw eggs. Concurrently, a separate, larger multistate outbreak linked to Midwest Poultry Services was being tracked, involving a recall of approximately 1.6 million dozen eggs. The current update clarifies that while the Ramona incident is distinct from the Midwest recall, the local outbreak has grown in scope due to the involvement of the egg supplier Happy Hens.

How outlets are covering it

Both ABC 10 News San Diego and Patch report the same core figures: 21 cases and seven hospitalizations as of August 18. However, they differ in emphasis regarding the investigation's scope. ABC 10 focuses on the county’s outreach to retail food facilities regarding proper egg storage and grading requirements, citing the USDA’s mandate that only Grade AA, A, or B eggs be sold for human consumption. Patch highlights that the county is investigating additional cases involving the same Salmonella strain that are not linked to the Ramona market, suggesting the contamination may have spread through Happy Hens’ distribution network beyond the initial deli. Both outlets agree that the local outbreak is distinct from the Midwest shell-egg recall, but Patch explicitly notes the collaboration between the county and the California Department of Food and Agriculture, while ABC 10 details the specific symptoms and high-risk groups, such as children under five and adults over 65.

Why it matters

The expansion of the case count and the identification of a commercial egg supplier indicate a potential supply chain failure that could affect multiple retail locations. The distinction between this local outbreak and the larger Midwest recall is critical for public health messaging, as consumers may conflate the two events. The involvement of Happy Hens suggests that other facilities receiving their eggs may have been exposed, necessitating broader public awareness and compliance with food safety standards regarding raw egg handling and storage.

What to watch

San Diego County health officials will continue to monitor for additional cases and collaborate with state agencies to trace the distribution of Happy Hens eggs. Retailers receiving eggs from the supplier are expected to review their inventory and ensure compliance with grading and storage regulations. Public health officials will maintain outreach to encourage individuals with symptoms to report their illness to the county Department of Environmental Health and Quality. The investigation into the non-market cases will determine if the contamination is limited to specific batches or a broader distribution issue.