One person in Texas has died after eating a cucumber contaminated with salmonella, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
This is the second reported case of a person dying from tainted cucumbers sold by a San Diego-based produce company.
The Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and state and local officials continue to investigate a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Poona linked to “slicer” cucumbers, supplied by Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce and grown in Baja, Mexico.
This type of cucumber can also be called “American” cucumbers.
Medical records indicate that the Texas victim had serious underlying health conditions, but that salmonella was a contributing factor to her death.
The victim, who will not be identified, died late last month.
According to the CDC, as of September 8, 2015, 341 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Poona have been reported from 30 states.
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The number of ill people reported from each state is as follows: Alaska (9), Arizona (66), Arkansas (6), California (72), Colorado (14), Hawaii (1), Idaho (8), Illinois (6), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Louisiana (4), Minnesota (12), Missouri (8), Montana (10), Nebraska (2), Nevada (7), New Mexico (18), New York (4), North Dakota (1), Ohio (2), Oklahoma (8), Oregon (8), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (7), Texas (18), Utah (30), Virginia (1), Washington (10), Wisconsin (2) and Wyoming (3).
Illnesses started on dates ranging from July 3, 2015 to August 30, 2015. Seventy people have been hospitalized, and two deaths have been reported from California (1) and Texas (1).
What are the Symptoms of Salmonella?
Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment.
How Soon do Symptoms Appear After Exposure?
Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.
What are the Complications of Salmonella Infections?
In some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that they need to be hospitalized. In these patients, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream, and then to other body sites and can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.
Who is at Risk?
Children are the most likely to get salmonellosis. The rate of diagnosed infections in children less than five years old is higher than the rate in all other people. Children younger than five years of age, the elderly and those people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections. It is estimated that approximately 400 persons in the United States die each year with acute salmonellosis.
What Do Consumers Need To Do?
Consumers may return Andrews and Williamson cucumbers to the place of purchase or throw them out. If in doubt about your cucumbers, do not eat them.
The FDA encourages consumers with questions to call 1-888-SAFEFOOD Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Central, or to consult the FDA's website.
