In its latest update regarding the multistate outbreak of Salmonella Newport and Salmonella Infantis, the CDC reports that one more person from one state has contracted this strain of Salmonella, linked to Maradol papayas imported from Mexico. One of four Salmonella outbreaks currently being investigated by the CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and state public health officials, this specific outbreak has now sickened a total of four people in the states of Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New York.
These victims of the disease, ranging in age from 40 to 82, contracted the illness between July 19, 2017 and August 7, 2017; two are of Hispanic ethnicity. So far, only two of the victims have required hospitalization. More people, however, may become ill – the CDC warns that it can take from 2 to 4 weeks for cases of Salmonella infection to be reported. And since most Salmonella illnesses are not reported, there may be many more ill persons in this particular outbreak.
During its investigation of the source of the four Salmonella outbreaks, the FDA has connected the Salmonella Newport (3 cases) and Salmonella Infantis (1 case) outbreak to papayas grown at Rancho El Ganadero and distributed by Caraveo Produce of Tecomán, Mexico. However, although the DNA fingerprint of the Salmonella isolates collected from the victims matches those found at Rancho El Ganadero, the FDA has ascertained that the shipment of contaminated papayas it examined was subsequently destroyed before it could be distributed to the United States. Evidence now suggests that the strain was transmitted through previous shipments by Caraveo Produce. No contaminated papayas from this farm should currently be on the market, since they would now be past their shelf life.
But if you have bought some of these papayas in the past few weeks, and have experienced these symptoms, see your doctor.
If you experience the symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning – nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, and / or fever – please seek medical assistance immediately. The long-term complications that can be triggered by this dangerous variety of food poisoning can include high blood pressure, reactive arthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome, and so you may require continuing monitoring and care by your physician. 
