One Dead, 46 Ill in Papaya Salmonella Outbreak
A New York resident is dead after contracting salmonella from eating a contaminated papaya. Federal health officials have confirmed 46 additional infections across 12 states.
Federal Regulators Determine Source of Papaya Salmonella Outbreak
According to FOX News, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have traced the salmonella outbreak to Caribena brand yellow Maradol papayas. The papayas were grown in Mexico then distributed by Grande Produce of San Juan, Texas.
Health officials determined there was an outbreak after a cluster similar cases were reported between May 17 and June 28. Reports concerned individuals between the age of 1 and 97.
Consumers and restaurants are urged to dispose of the papayas, adding that if there is any doubt whether a papaya is a yellow Maradol papaya, it is best to err on the side of caution and through it out.
States where illnesses have been recorded include:
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Maryland
- New York
A similar outbreak occurred in 2011 when 97 people across 23 states were sickened after eating salmonella-contaminated papayas.
Salmonella Symptoms and Statistics
- According to the CDC, Salmonella causes in one million food borne illnesses every year, resulting in 19,000 hospitalizations and 380 deaths.
- Common symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Abdominal cramps
- Symptoms appear 12 to 72 hours after infection and usually persist for four to seven days.
- Infections and illness tend to be more serious in young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
