Four deaths from Salmonella-tainted cucumbers
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said 732 people had been sickened from 35 states with 150 hospitalized.
The agency said 50% of ill people are children younger than 18 years.
Since the last update, 61 more illnesses were reported from 24 states with Maryland added to the list.
Salmonella Poona infection has been linked to four deaths, one each in Arizona, California, Oklahoma and Texas.
Updated import alert
Cucumbers from Rancho Don Juanito de R.L. de C.V. in Baja, Mexico and distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce have been identified as the likely source.
Andrew and Williamson made a donation to STOP Foodborne Illness to support efforts to create an educational packet about foodborne illness.
FDA also issued an Import Alert in mid-September for cucumbers from Rancho Don Juanito based on identifying Salmonella through import sampling.
The agency added a second Import Alert later in September based on the appearance that their cucumbers appeared to have been prepared, packed, and held under insanitary conditions.
Health departments of Nevada, Arizona and Montana isolated one of the outbreak strains of Salmonella Poona from cucumbers at retail.
The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency isolated one of the outbreak strains at the Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce facility.
CDC said it is not unexpected to continue to see illnesses after the recalls, for several reasons.
“It can take up to a week from the time people eat food contaminated with Salmonella before they get sick.
“Also, cucumbers have a shelf life of up to 14 days. Some people may not have known about the recall and eaten the contaminated cucumbers after the recall.
“Illnesses that occurred after September 8, 2015 might not be reported yet. A series of events occurs between the time a person is infected and the time public health officials can determine that the person is part of an outbreak.
“This means that there will be a delay between when a person gets sick and confirmation that he or she is part of an outbreak.”
Among people for whom information is available, illnesses started on dates ranging from July 3 to September 25.
Cyclospora investigations closed
Meanwhile, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has closed its investigation into cyclospora as the outbreak appears to be over.
A total of 97 cases were reported between May 3 and August 8, with two hospitalised – the source was not identified.
In the US, the CDC reported in mid-September cases had returned to baseline levels. The agency was notified of 546 cases from 31 states and 21 hospitalizations between May 1 and August 22.
Some illnesses were linked to fresh cilantro from Puebla, Mexico.
Public Health England (PHE) reported 69 cases in early September with known travel to Mexico.
The agency said the source was likely to be a food product distributed to several hotels.
