There are at least 12 people sickened with Salmonella Kiambu infections in New Jersey that are linked to imported Maradol papayas. there are at least 47 people sickened nationwide in this particular outbreak. Twelve people have been hospitalized so far, and one person died in New York City.
All epidemiologic and laboratory evidence collected to date indicates that yellow Maradol papayas are a likely source of this multistate outbreak. The CDC recommends that consumers not eat, restaurants not serve, and retailers not sell Maradol papayas from Mexico until the investigation is further along.
Caribeña brand papayas from Mexico have been identified as one brand linked to this outbreak. They were distributed by Grande Produce, which issued a limited recall on July 26, 2017. That facility recalled papayas that were distributed between July 10 and July 19, 2017.
But people have been sickened in states where Grande Produce does not do business. That’s why public health officials recommend that everyone avoid Maradol papayas for the time being.
PulseNet has been used to identify patients who are part of this outbreak. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has been used to fingerprint the bacteria in this outbreak. That test showed that isolates from people infected with Salmonella Kiambu are closely related genetically.
Maryland health officials purchased papayas from a grocery store where several ill persons reported buying the fruit. They isolated the outbreak strain of Salmonella Kiambu and Salmonella Thompson on samples taken from the fruit. Both of those samples were from Caribeña brand Maradol papayas imported from Mexico.
The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. Patients usually get sick within sic to seventy-two hours after exposure. In some people, severe diarrhea or sepsis can occur so they must be hospitalized.
If you ate any Maradol papayas in the past month and have experienced these symptoms, see your doctor. Even if you recover completely after this illness, there are long term health consequences. Some people develop reactive arthritis, high blood pressure, or irritable bowel syndrome after this infection.
Pritzker Hageman law firm helps people sickened by contaminated food get answers, compensation and justice. Our attorneys have represented patients and families of children in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against food manufacturers, restaurants, retailers, schools, and others. Attorney Fred Pritzker recently won a $7.5 million judgment on behalf of a young client whose kidneys failed because he developed hemolytic uremic syndrome after an E. coli infection. If you have a question about this outbreak, ask us about it and leave a comment about this story. We will keep you informed as more information is released.
