Cucumbers from Mexico tied to 3 deaths; 558 ill

The number of people infected by salmonella in the ongoing cucumber-linked outbreak in the United States is still rising, as the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Tuesday (Sept 22) that 558 cases have been detected so far, including three deaths, according to CNN.

The third death, following that of an elderly resident in California and a woman in Texas, has been reported in Arizona by federal officials.

The suit states that she tested positive for the strain of salmonella found in Andrew & Williamson’s cucumbers, which were recalled earlier this month. The outbreak has already spread to 33 states.

A U.S. Food & Drug Administration investigation determined that the firm Rancho Don Juanito de R.L.de C.V.in Baja, Mexico, was the primary source of cucumbers shipped to Andrew & Williamson, that agency said.

The affected field cucumbers were sold unwrapped on or before September 4.

The cucumbers which have been recalled are considered as “slicer” or “American” as these are commonly seen in America and are between seven to ten inches in length.

Custom Produce Sales too recalled its cucumbers sold under “Fat Boy” brand as those were sourced from Andrew and Williamson. When in doubt, don’t eat, sell, or serve them and throw them out.

Upon eating Salmonella-infected products, the initial symptoms appear in the first 12 to 72 hours.

“This circumstance is a saddening reminder that illnesses that often don’t cause a high level of harm to most people can have a devastating effect on those in our community that are most medically vulnerable”, Francisco Garcia, health department director, said in a press release.

But children younger than 5, adults older than 65 and others with weakened immune systems can face severe diarrhea and an infection that spreads from the intestines to the bloodstream.

Without immediate antibiotic care, the mortality risk is heightened.