In this issue of THE JOURNAL, Cody and colleagues1
describe investigations of 2 overlapping outbreaks of salmonellosis
that affected residents of northern California; Villar and
colleagues2 describe a similar epidemic in Washington
State. All 3 outbreaks were traced to the consumption of Mexican-style
soft cheese (queso fresco) made from unpasteurized (raw) milk.
These 2 articles provide vivid examples of the importance of outbreak
investigation, as well as the challenges to reducing the incidence of
foodborne illness.