The CDC has updated its investigation into the multistate outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup linked to imported Daniella mangoes from Mexico. So far, 121 people in 15 states are ill with the outbreak strain of the bacteria. Twenty-five people have been hospitalized, and there are no deaths. The 17 new cases are from four states: California (13), Hawaii (1), Illinois (1), and Washington (2).
The number of ill people in each state is as follows: California (93), Delaware (1), Hawaii (4), Idaho (1), Illinois (2), Maine (1), Michigan (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (1), New York (3), Oregon (1), Texas (2), Washington (8), and Wisconsin (1). Illness onset dates range form July 3, 2012 to August 27, 2012. The age range is less than 1 year to 86 years; the median patient age is 30. Fifty-four percent of ill persons are female.
The stores that may have sold the mangoes and products made with the mangoes include Aldi, El Super, Food 4 Less, Copps, Costco, Mariano’s, Metro Market, Pick ‘n Save, Harveys, Reid’s, Food Lion, F&S, Martin’s, Stop & Shop, BI-LO, Winn-Dixie, Hannaford, Giant Foods, Kroger, Rainbow, Ralph’s, Savemart, Walmart, Topco, Whole Foods, and TOP Foods. Distributors and processors that have recalled products made with the mangoes include Splendid Products, Spokane Produce, Ready Pac, Pacific Coast Fruit Company, Real Foods, Charlie’s Produce, Taylor Farms, and F&S Produce.
On September 13, 2012, the FDA placed Daniella mangoes imported from Mexico on its Import Alert list. That means those mangoes will not be allowed into the U.S. unless the importer can prove they are not contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. A third party laboratory test is considered acceptable evidence.
The symptoms of Salmonella poisoning include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, muscle pains, and blood in the stool. A person usually starts to feel sick six to seventy-two hours after exposure. Most people recover without treatment, but some become ill enough with dehydration that they need to be hospitalized. Long-term consequences of Salmonella food poisoning include Reiter’s Syndrome, or reactive arthritis, that can progress to chronic arthritis, along with heart disease.
Check any mangoes that you may have purchased. They should carry a sticker identifying the growing area; if not, ask the store where you bought them. Any Daniella brand mangoes should be discarded or returned to the place of purchase.
