A salmonella outbreak strain linked to imported cucumbers has led to 73 infections across 18 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.
And while no deaths have been reported, a total of 14 people needed to be hospitalized.
The strain is known as Salmonella Saintpaul and most likely originates from imported cucumbers.
"Preliminary information indicates that consumption of imported cucumbers is the likely source of infection for the ill persons," the CDC said.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, issued an import alert for cucumbers coming from Daniel Cardenas Izabal and Miracle Greenhouse in Culiacán, Mexico.
"Cucumbers from these two firms will be denied admission into the United States unless the suppliers show that they are not contaminated with Salmonella," the FDA said.
A recall has not been initiated at this time and there is no evidence that products coming from the two vendors in question are still on the market.
But there is still a possibility that more infections will be reported.
"Due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported, additional ill persons may be identified," the CDC says.
"Consumers and retailers should always follow safe produce handling recommendations."
The CDC, along with state and public health officials, are still monitoring the outbreak situation and interviewing any infected individuals to determine a definite source of the strain.
The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Arizona (9), California (28), Colorado (1), Idaho (2), Illinois (3), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (1), Maryland (1), Minnesota (8), Nevada (1), New Mexic0 (2), North Carolina (1), Ohio (1), Oregon (2), South Dakota (2), Texas (6), Virginia (2), and Wisconsin (2)---CDC reports.
For More Information, Visit the CDC Website.
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