Salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers continues to spread
The multistate salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers imported from Mexico continues to sicken people across the country.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s most recent case count (as of Oct. 5) is up to 732 in 35 states. Four people have died and 150 people have been hospitalized.
Among those sickened are 22 Washington residents, including at least two Clark County residents. Last month, local health officials confirmed a Clark County man in his 70s and a woman in her 20s were linked to the outbreak.
California has the highest number of salmonella cases, 192, followed by Arizona, 114, according to the CDC.
The four deaths were reported in Arizona, California, Oklahoma and Texas.
In early September, the CDC announced it was investigating 285 salmonellosis cases and one death caused by the strain of bacteria known as salmonella poona.
The California Department of Public Health identified a commercial produce supplier in San Diego — Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce — as the distributor shipping the produce in the U.S. The distributor issued a recall Sept. 4.
On Sept. 11, Custom Produce Sales, which received cucumbers from the distributor, issued a voluntary recall of all cucumbers sold under its “Fat Boy Fresh Produce” label.
Marissa Harshman
I'm the health reporter for The Columbian newspaper in Vancouver, Wash. I started at The Columbian -- my hometown newspaper -- in September 2009. Reach me at marissa.harshman@columbian.com or 360-735-4546.