The number of salmonella cases linked to cucumbers has risen, federal officials said on June 12. The outbreak, involving the salmonella strain Africana, has sickened 196 people across 28 states and Washington, according to the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC is probing the cases with the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The illnesses occurred between March 11 and May 23 and left at least 68 people hospitalized, although no deaths have been recorded. “The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses.
This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak,” the CDC said in a statement. However, testing of a sample supplied by the company showed a different strain of the illness, salmonella Bareilly, the FDA said in an update.
Further testing is taking place as officials try to determine the source of the outbreak, as well as another outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup that has cropped up recently. Some 185 people across 24 states have reported cases of salmonella Braenderup in recent weeks. The two outbreaks share similarities, including the location of the illnesses.
“Investigators are working to determine whether the two outbreaks could be link.
