Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak in 31 States
- Cucumbers linked to a salmonella outbreak in 31 states.
- Two cucumber growers identified as sources of the outbreak through CDC and FDA data.
- Consumers advised to be cautious with cucumbers to prevent illness.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided an update regarding a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections associated with cucumbers. Initially reported as two separate outbreaks, the infections, caused by Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup, have now been linked to contaminated cucumbers. The CDC, in collaboration with public health officials and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, has identified epidemiological and laboratory data that confirm cucumbers as the source of the illnesses, which have affected 449 individuals across 31 states and Washington, D.C. Out of 360 individuals with available information, 125 have been hospitalized, although no fatalities have been reported. The CDC has pinpointed Bedner Growers, Inc. from Boynton Beach, Florida, and Thomas Produce Company from Boca Raton, Florida, as likely sources of the outbreak. However, these growers do not account for all reported illnesses. Whole Genome Sequencing has revealed that water from Thomas Produce Company contained a strain of Salmonella Braenderup linked to some cases, while other strains were found in soil and water samples from both farms. As the cucumber growing and harvesting season has concluded for these companies, the CDC has emphasized the importance of food safety. They recommend that home cooks refrigerate perishable foods within two hours to prevent salmonella infections. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, which usually manifest within 6 hours to 6 days after exposure, with most individuals recovering without treatment in 4 to 7 days.