Q&A on the News

By Lori Johnston

For the AJC

Q: There has been a lot of news lately about salmonella in eggs. Eggs are used to make flu vaccine. Is it possible to get salmonella poisoning through the flu vaccine?

-- David Hackney, Gainesville

A: The Food and Drug Administration and vaccine manufacturers tell The Wall Street Journal that the salmonella outbreak in eggs for consumption and recall does not affect flu vaccine production, safety or availability for 2010-2011. One reason is because “the eggs used to make the flu vaccine come from different farms than those sold to consumers as food,” the paper reported. In addition, the eggs used for vaccines are fertilized and tested vigorously, and steps in the manufacturing process remove salmonella and other bacteria, officials told the paper.

Q: Is it legal to remove and discard campaign signs that litter our roadways? They are such blight on the environment. I’m not referring to those on private property.

-- Keith Nash, Decatur

A: It depends on county or city codes. The DeKalb County code does not address private citizens removing illegal signage, Burke Brennan, the county’s interim chief communications officer, told Q&A on the News. Most private signs in public rights of way are illegal, and the county’s Code Enforcement Division regularly visits all main intersections and thoroughfares in unincorporated DeKalb to remove these illegal signs, he said. To report illegal signage in unincorporated DeKalb County, call 770-724-7940.

Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).