This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Imported cucumbers cited in multistate Salmonella outbreak
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
An outbreak of Salmonella Poona affecting at least 341 people has been linked to cucumbers imported from Mexico, according to the CDC.
While cases of Salmonella Poona have been reported in 30 states, more than half of those infected were reported in California and Arizona. Infected persons are aged from younger than 1 year to 99 years, and 53% are aged younger than 18 years. There also have been 70 hospitalizations and two deaths reported.
Investigations have identified cucumbers imported from Mexico as the likely source of infection. On Sept. 4, Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce voluntarily recalled all cucumbers sold under the “Limited Edition” label from Aug. 1 to Sept. 3 due to potential Salmonella contamination. These cucumbers, often referred to as “slicer” or “American” cucumbers, were sold in bulk display without individual packaging. Consumers, restaurants and retailers are advised not to eat or sell these cucumbers, and they are advised to dispose of any products in which infection is suspected.
No domestically produced cucumbers are believed to be involved in this outbreak, the CDC said.
Investigation of the outbreak is ongoing, according to the CDC, and antibiotic resistance testing on clinical isolates currently is being conducted by the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System.