More than 350 patients have been confirmed in outbreaks linked to fresh cucumbers

Federal officials say 381 people have now been confirmed as patients in two Salmonella outbreaks linked to fresh cucumbers.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 75 percent of patients surveyed reported eating fresh cucumbers in the days before they became ill.

“Epidemiological data show that cucumbers may be contaminated with Salmonella and can make people sick,” according to an outbreak update from the CDC.

In an outbreak of Salmonella Africana infection, the number of patients stands at 196, compared to 162 a week ago. 185 patients have been confirmed in an outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup, compared to 158 a week ago.

Patients are spread from coast to coast and reside in 28 states and the District of Columbia. Of the 164 patients for whom information is available, at least 68 have required hospitalization during the Salmonella Africana outbreak, according to the CDC. No one died. Details about the patients in the Salmonella Braenderup outbreak will be reported as they become available.

“The two outbreaks share several similarities, including where and when illnesses occurred and the demographics of sick people,” the CDC said.

Fresh Start Produce Sales of Delray, FL, initiated a recall due to the outbreak. The company that supplied cucumbers to Fresh Start no longer grows or harvests and the recalled cucumbers should no longer be on the market, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

“As part of the Salmonella Africana investigation, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture officials collected samples of cucumbers from several retail locations across the state. Tests identified Salmonella Bareilly, a different strain of Salmonella than the one that made people sick in this outbreak. CDC is not currently investigating an outbreak of disease involving this species,” the agency’s outbreak update said.

In the Salmonella Africana outbreak, illnesses started on March 11 and the most recently confirmed patient became ill on May 23.

“The actual number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the reported number, and the outbreak may not be limited to states with known illnesses,” the CDC said.

The CDC estimates that in Salmonella outbreaks there are 29 sick people for every confirmed patient. This is because some sick people do not seek medical treatment and others who do go to the doctor are not explicitly tested for Salmonella infection. Additionally, it can take up to four weeks or more for confirmed patients to be added to the federal list because of the time lag between diagnosis and reporting to public health officials.

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