More than 150 people in the US are sick due to a possible salmonella outbreak in cucumbers: NPR

More than 150 people have become ill after being exposed to cucumbers that may have been contaminated with salmonella CDC said on Wednesday.

From TuesdayAccording to the CDC, 162 reported illnesses have been linked to cucumbers, spanning 25 states and Washington, DC. Fifty-four people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.

Many of the infected people were concentrated in Pennsylvania, Florida, Virginia and New York.

“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.

One company, Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., issued a recall last week, cucumbers were distributed between May 17 and 21 in 14 states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. the FDA said.

The affected products are approximately 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter and 5 to 9 inches long. The recall does not include mini or English cucumbers.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture first alerted Fresh Start, based in Delray, Florida, that one of its products tested positive for salmonella.

The cucumbers are “unlikely to be on the market,” but customers should check with local grocers to see if the affected products have been sold there. Those who purchased affected cucumbers can throw them away or return them to the store for a full refund, the FDA said.

Exposure to Salmonella can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and stomach pain. It can be fatal in vulnerable populations such as children, seniors and people with weaker immune systems. In rare cases it can cause conditions such as arthritis.