Federal officials report that an outbreak of Salmonella infections traced to cucumbers has ended.
In an update on Aug. 22, the Food and Drug Administration reported that 551 people had been sickened in the outbreak, up from 449 reported on Aug. 14. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the outbreak stretched across 34 states and the District of Columbia.
There are likely many more people who became infected because some do not seek medical attention, and others are not specifically tested for Salmonella infection. The CDC reports that for every one person identified in a Salmonella outbreak, there are 29 others who go undetected.
The FDA reported that cucumbers from Bedner Growers Inc. of Boynton Beach, FL, and Thomas Produce Company of Boca Raton, FL, are likely the sources of illnesses in the outbreak. However, according to the FDA, these growers do not account for all the illnesses in this outbreak.
The growing and harvesting season is over, and no product from these farms is on the market, likely with no ongoing risk to the public.
The FDA conducted an on-site inspection at Bender Growers Inc. and Thomas Produce Company and collected samples. Salmonella Braenderup was detected in canal water samples from both farms.
Whole Genome Sequencing analysis determined that the water used by Thomas Produce Company contained Salmonella, which matches a strain of Salmonella Braenderup that caused some of the illnesses in the outbreak. Additionally, as previously reported, the water used by Bedner Growers Inc. also contained Salmonella, which matched a different strain of Salmonella Braenderup that caused some of the illnesses in this outbreak.
Additional types of Salmonella were detected in soil and water samples collected at both Bedner Growers Inc. and Thomas Produce Company.
The FDA found that Salmonella contamination at both producers had caused illnesses in recent years.
“Multiple other strains of Salmonella, unrelated to this outbreak investigation, found at Bedner Growers Inc. and Thomas Produce Company matched clinical isolates from illnesses in the National Center for Biotechnology Information’s (NCBI) database that occurred in 2024 and previous years,” the FDA reported.
About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. However, anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. According to the CDC, infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.
Anyone who has eaten cucumbers and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.
Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.
Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.
Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.
(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)