The FDA has updated their investigation into the deadly multistate Salmonella outbreak that is linked to imported Maradol papayas from the Carica de Campeche farm located in Campeche, Mexico. Officials are telling consumers to avoid Caribeña, Cavi and Valery brands of Maradol papayas from that farm. The Cavi brand papayas have been distributed by Agroson's, the Caribeña brand distributed by Grande Produce, and Valery brand papayas have been distributed by Freshtex Produce LLC. Carica de Campeche farm has been added to the agency's Import Alerts after testing found multiple strains of Salmonella on the fruit. There are at least 173 people sickened in this outbreak, 58 hospitalizations, and one death in 21 states. And there are four strains of Salmonella found in isolates taken … [Read more...]
Deadly Salmonella Papaya Outbreak Has Sickened 173 in 21 States
The deadly Salmonella outbreak linked to imported Maradol papayas has sickened 173 people in 21 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Two more states have reported patients: Missouri and Tennessee. There are now four different types of Salmonella: KIambu, Thompson, Agona, and Gaminara. The same strain of these types were found in samples collected from ill persons and from papayas. The case count by state is: Connecticut (6), Delaware (4), Iowa (2), Illinois (3), Kentucky (4), Louisiana (1), Maryland (8), Massachusetts (8), Michigan (1), Minnesota (4), Missouri (1), North Carolina (5), New Jersey (36), New York (50), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (4), Pennsylvania (8), Tennessee (1), Texas (9), Virginia (16), Wisconsin (1). Fifty-eight patients have been … [Read more...]
Deadly Papaya Salmonella Outbreak: How is the Fruit Contaminated?
The ongoing deadly Salmonella outbreak linked to imported Maradol papayas has sickened at least 141 people in 19 states. Since Salmonella is such an underreported illness, with a multiplier of 38, that means that there could be more than 5,000 people sick in this particular outbreak in the United States. But how does Salmonella get on papayas? That is not a food typically associated with foodborne illness outbreaks. Salmonella is ubiquitous in the environment. It is present in the soil, in the feces of animals and birds, and some people carry it. Any food can be contaminated with Salmonella, but produce is quite susceptible to it because it is a natural product. There have been quite a few outbreaks in the past few years caused by produce contaminated with Salmonella, E. coli, … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak in Wisconsin Linked to Peas Sold at Farmers Markets
Seven people in four counties are sick with Salmonella infections in Wisconsin after eating fresh shell peas purchased at farmers markets. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and four local health departments are investigating this outbreak. Four of the patients live in Brown County. Those sickened ate fresh shelled (loose) peas purchased from farmers markets in Madison, Fond du Lac, and Green Bay on Saturday, July 22, 2017. Anyone who purchased shelled peas from these farmers markets from July 19 to August 15, 2017 should throw them away, even if they have been frozen. The farmers markets are Dane County Farmers Market in Madison located on the capital square (Saturdays) or Martin Luther King Blvd … [Read more...]
Deadly Papaya Salmonella Outbreak Has Sickened 141
The deadly Salmonella outbreak linked to imported Maradol papayas has now sickened at least 141 people in 19 states, according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thirty two more ill people from 15 states have been added to the investigation since the last update last Friday. Three more states have now reported patents: Illinois, Ohio, and Texas. The case count by state is: Connecticut (5), Delaware (4), Iowa (2), Illinois (2), Kentucky (3), Louisiana (2), Maryland (8), Massachusetts (6), Michigan (1), Minnesota (4), North Carolina (3), New Jersey (27) New York (39), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (4), Pennsylvania (8), Texas (7), Virginia (14), and Wisconsin (1). Forty-five ill persons have been hospitalized. One death was reported from New York … [Read more...]
Salmonella Kiambu and Thompson Outbreak Linked to Papayas
The CDC has updated its investigation into the Salmonella outbreak linked to imported Maradol papayas. Now, the investigation, which was originally focused on Salmonella Kiambu infections, has been expanded to include Salmonella Thompson infections. The case count still stands at 109 people sick. Forty-eight people are sick with Salmonella Kiambu infections, and 61 people are sick with Salmonella Thompson infections. Those patients live in 16 states across the country. Thirty-five patients have been hospitalized, and one death was reported from New York City. Illnesses began in May 2017 and continue. All evidence, including epidemiologic and laboratory, indicate that Maradol papayas imported from Mexico "are the likely source of this multistate outbreak." Caribbean, Cavi, and … [Read more...]
Deadly Salmonella Papaya Outbreak Sickens 109
The deadly Salmonella Kiambu outbreak linked to papayas has now sickened at least 109 people in 16 states. That's an increase of 64 more ill persons from the last update on July 21, 2017. Six more states have reported patients since then: Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin. This outbreak began when Maryland officials started investigating a Salmonella cluster in their state. They found two types of Salmonella: Kiambu and Thompson. Officials were not sure if those sickened with Salmonella Thompson were part of this outbreak. Now, laboratory tests showed that the strain of Salmonella Thompson isolated from papayas collected in the Maryland investigation is "closely related genetically" to clinical isolates from patients so they are part of the … [Read more...]
NE Salmonella Outbreak Associated with Red Door Coffee in West Point
A Salmonella outbreak that may be associated with Red Door Coffee in West Point, Nebraska has sickened at least 20 people, according to the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department. To date, there are 20 confirmed and 8 probable cases. The local health department is working with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services on the investigation. Local health departments and state officials are conducting interviews with patients. The press release states that "so far, all confirmed cases have one common factor which is dining at Red Door Coffee in West Point. Red Door Coffee owners and staff are fully cooperating with the investigation." Officials are asking that the public help in this matter. They say that anyone who ate at Red Door Coffee from July 14 to July 29, … [Read more...]
New Jersey Hit Hard by Papaya Salmonella Outbreak
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 … [Read more...]
Salmonella Stanley Outbreak in Washington State
A Salmonella Stanley outbreak in Washington state has been reported to the Seattle-King County Public Health Department. Six people infected with the outbreak strain of bacteria were reported to Public Health during July 17 - July 24, 2017. On July 26 and 27, pulsed field-gel electrophoresis (PFGE) results came in. They showed that four of the six cases have the same genetic fingerprint, which suggests a common source of infection. Genetic fingerprinting for the other two cases is pending. This particular strain of Salmonella bacteria has only been seen twice before in King County. Usually, only two to six cases are reported in that area every year. Public Health is interviewing patients in this outbreak to gather information about possible risk sources. The median age of the … [Read more...]
