Health officials in the US are looking into a recent outbreak of salmonella illness connected to Florida growers, with contaminated cucumbers noted as a concern. Last year, there were 550 reported cases.
The cucumbers, produced by Florida’s Bedner Growers and distributed through Fresh Start Produce, are linked to at least 26 cases across 15 states, as reported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday evening. There have been at least nine hospitalizations, but there have been no reported fatalities.
The affected cucumbers were distributed to restaurants, retail outlets, and foodservice distributors between April 29th and May 19th, and may still be in storage as of this week. Cases of illness were reported from April 2nd to April 28th, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This outbreak was identified during a follow-up investigation in April. In 2024, there was a similar outbreak that sickened 551 individuals, leading to 155 hospitalizations across 34 states and Washington, DC. Investigators found salmonella bacteria linked to untreated canal water used on farms operated by Bedner Growers and Thomas Producers during that outbreak.
In the current situation, officials have detected salmonella bacteria in farm samples that are consistent with those found in sick individuals.
Authorities are tracing the distribution of the potentially contaminated cucumbers. According to the CDC, one individual experienced illness after consuming cucumbers while on a cruise ship. It has been confirmed that organic cucumbers are not implicated in this situation.
Retailers are required to inform consumers who may have purchased the contaminated cucumbers. If consumers are unsure of the source of their cucumbers, they should dispose of them, officials warned.
Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, severe vomiting, dehydration, and abdominal cramps. Most individuals will recover within a week; however, the illness can be particularly severe for infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems, sometimes requiring hospitalization.
___
The Associated Press School of Health Sciences gains support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institution’s Science and Education Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for the content.
Source: apnews.com