Health Officials are Investigating a Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Poona Infections

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), multiple states, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Poona infections. Since July 3, 2015, 285 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Poona have been reported from 27 states. Fifty-three ill people have been hospitalized, and one death has been reported from California. Fifty-four percent of ill people are children younger than 18 years.

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. Fifty-eight (73 percent) of 80 people interviewed reported eating cucumbers in the week before their illness began. Eleven illness clusters have been identified in seven states. In all of these clusters, interviews found that cucumbers were a food item eaten in common by ill people.

The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency isolated Salmonella from cucumbers collected during a visit to the Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce facility.

On Sept. 4, 2015, Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce voluntarily recalled all cucumbers sold under the “Limited Edition” brand label during the period from Aug. 1, 2015 through September 3, 2015 because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The type of cucumber is often referred to as a “slicer” or “American” cucumber and is dark green in color. Typical length is 7 to 10 inches. Limited-edition cucumbers were distributed in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. Further distribution to other states may have occurred.

Consumers should not eat, restaurants should not serve, and retailers should not sell recalled cucumbers. If you aren’t sure if your cucumbers were recalled, ask the place of purchase or your supplier. When in doubt, don’t eat, sell, or serve them and throw them out.

CDC's National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System laboratory is conducting antibiotic resistance testing on clinical isolates collected from ill people infected with the outbreak strains; results will be reported when they become available.

Source: CDC

For FAQs on this outbreak from the FDA, CLICK HERE.