Salmonella outbreak spreads

On September 9, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an update on the cucumber-based salmonella outbreak. 

According to its website, "CDC, multiple states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Poona infections."

Since September 4, an additional 56 cases have been reported, pushing the total number of infected to 341. The majority of cases have been located in California (72 ill) and Arizona (66 ill). More than 50 percent of those affected are children under the age of 18 years old. Two deaths have been reported. 

CDC, according to its website, has identified the source of the outbreak. 

"Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback investigations have identified imported cucumbers from Mexico and distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce as a likely source of the infections in this outbreak," CDC says. 

The company has voluntarily recalled all of its "Limited Edition" brand cucumbers sold between August 1, 2015 and September 3, 2015. CDC notes that the cucumbers originated in Don Juanito, Mexico and domestic cucumbers are not believed to be involved in the outbreak. 

A list of states that received the affected cucumbers was published by CDC: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.

Photo courtesy of James Gathany, Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Map couresty of the CDC.