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Cucumbers contaminated with salmonella sicken more than 150 people across multiple states
More than 150 Americans have been left ill and 54 hospitalized after eating cucumbers contaminated salmonella, a report shows.
The CDC revealed the link with cucumbers in an update today, saying some of the foods eaten by patients had tested positive for the bacteria.
Many had also reported eating cucumbers before they became sick, investigators said, with symptoms including diarrhea, bloody stool and vomiting.
No deaths have been recorded, but officials warn young children, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems are at higher risk from the disease.
Cucumbers contaminated with salmonella are believed to have sickened and hospitalized dozens of people in at least 25 states
The cucumbers were sold in bulk by Fresh Start Produce Sales, based in Florida, with many thought to have already been repackaged for stores
Investigators linked the spate of illnesses to cucumbers after interviewing patients on their diets in the days and weeks before becoming unwell.
A recall of cucumbers from 14 states has already been issued, with affected foods having been distributed by May 24.
They were sold in bulk by Fresh Start Produce Sales, based in Florida, with many thought to have already been repackaged for stores.
It was not clear how salmonella — normally found in the guts of cows and chickens — had contaminated the cucumbers.
But experts warned that cucumber plants could pick up the bacteria if they were irrigated using water contaminated with animal feces — with salmonella able to attach to the outside of cucumbers and leaves.
Salmonella may also contaminate a manufacturing facility if it gets onto machinery, which will then spread the bacteria to other cucumbers.
Patients were from 25 states and reported falling ill between March 11 and May 16 this year, although it is possible more recent cases are yet to be reported.
Patients reported falling ill between March 11 and May 16 this year, although it is possible more recent cases are yet to be reported
The majority of the patients are female, from white ethnic backgrounds and they are about 40 years old on average — although the patients included a one-year-old.
The states reporting sick patients were: Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, Virginia, Ohio, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Kentucky, Michigan, Rhode Island, Iowa, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Indiana, Maine and Missouri.
Healthy people infected with salmonella can experience a fever, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain that lasts for a few days.
In many cases, this can be treated using bed rest and painkillers.
But, in more severe cases, the bacteria may enter the body's bloodstream — where it can cause life-threatening complications such as sepsis.
It is commonly contracted via eating raw or undercooked meat, unpasteurized milk or unwashed fruits and vegetables.
About 1.35million salmonella infections are reported in the US every year, while 26,500 people are hospitalized and 420 die from the disease.