Salmonella outbreak caused by cucumbers sickens 9 people in Michigan and 449 in the US

Investigators link untreated canal water to a salmonella epidemic that sickened nearly 500 people in the United States, including nine people in Michigan.

As of July 1, 2024, a total of 449 people have been infected with Salmonella in 31 states and the District of Columbia. People have been infected with Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup. According to official figures, 215 people were vaccinated with the newly added Salmonella Braenderup. Of the 188 people surveyed, 129 (69%) said they eat cucumbers.

During an on-site inspection of Bedner Growers, Inc., a grower that supplies Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., the FDA found Salmonella Braenderup in samples of untreated canal water used by Bedner.

Further analysis found that the Salmonella found in the water matched a strain that caused some of the illnesses in the outbreak. Additional Salmonella species were detected in soil and water samples collected at Bedner, and the CDC and FDA are currently investigating whether these strains also caused illness in people.

The FDA said the cucumber growing and harvesting season at Bedner is over and there is no product from the farm on the market. They also said Bedner is not responsible for any illnesses linked to the outbreak.

Which cucumbers were recalled?

Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. of Delray, Florida, recalled whole cucumbers shipped in bulk boxes from May 17 to May 21, 2024. They were shipped to retail distribution centers, wholesalers and grocery distributors in 14 states.

Michigan is not among the states where cucumbers were originally shipped, but sellers may have shipped them to Michigan or repackaged them for stores. The list of states includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

The cucumbers should no longer be available in stores and their expiration date has passed. The recall did not include English cucumbers or mini cucumbers.

What should one do?

The CDC has stated that the recalled cucumbers should not be consumed. If you do not know where you purchased the cucumbers, you should throw them away. Wash objects and surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled cucumbers with hot, soapy water or in the dishwasher.

Symptoms of Salmonella

Salmonella is a group of bacteria which can cause so-called salmonellosis, a gastrointestinal disease and fever.

Most people infected with Salmonella experience symptoms 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness usually lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment.

Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include high fever, aches, headache, lethargy, rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may be fatal.

Children under five years of age, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe salmonellosis infections.