CDC: Tomatoes eyed in salmonella cases in 9 states
By
MIKE STOBBE
ATLANTA (AP) - An outbreak of salmonella food poisoning first
linked to uncooked tomatoes has now been reported in nine states,
U.S. health officials said Tuesday.
Lab tests have confirmed
40 illnesses in Texas and New Mexico as the same type of salmonella,
right down to the genetic fingerprint. An investigation by Texas
and New Mexico health authorities and the Indian Health Service
tied those cases to uncooked, raw, large tomatoes.
At least 17 people in Texas
and New Mexico have been hospitalized. None have died, according
to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Another 30 people have become
sick with the same Salmonella Saintpaul infection in Arizona,
Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Idaho, Illinois and Indiana. CDC investigators
are looking into whether tomatoes were culprits there, too.
In Texas and New Mexico,
raw large tomatoes - including Roma and red round tomatoes -
were found to be a common factor in the 40 illnesses. But no
farm, distributor or grocery chain has been identified as the
main source, said Casey Barton Behravesh, a CDC epidemiologist
working on the investigation.
"The specific type
and source of tomatoes is under investigation," she said.
Salmonella is a bacterial
infection that lives in the intestinal tracts of humans and
other animals. The bacteria are usually transmitted to humans
by eating foods contaminated with animal feces.
Most infected people suffer
fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps starting 12 to 72 hours
after infection. The illness tends to last four to seven days.
Many people recover without
treatment. However, severe infection and even death is possible.
Infants, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems
are at greatest risk for severe infections.
In Texas and New Mexico,
the patients ranged in age from ages 3 to 82. Of the 40, 38
were interviewed. Most said they ate raw tomatoes from either
stores or restaurants before becoming ill between April 23 and
May 27.
Another 17 cases are under
investigation in New Mexico, CDC officials said.