A national Salmonella Poona outbreak is over, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which determined that the likely source of the outbreak was cucumbers imported from Mexico by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce. Illnesses onset dates ranged from July 3, 2015 to February 29, 2016.
There is still time to file a lawsuit for compensation and to hold the company accountable.
At least 907 people in 40 states were sickened in the outbreak. Of these, 204 were hospitalized. Six people from 4 states died: Arizona (1), California (3), Oklahoma (1), and Texas (1). Salmonella infection was not considered a contributing factor in two of the three California deaths.
People were sickened in the following states: Alabama (1), Alaska (21), Arizona (140), Arkansas (13), California (245), Colorado (21), Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Georgia (1), Hawaii (1), Idaho (27), Illinois (11), Indiana (5), Iowa (7), Kansas (2), Kentucky (1), Louisiana (5), Maryland (1), Minnesota (46), Missouri (15), Montana (16), Nebraska (8), Nevada (17), New Hampshire (1), New Mexico (37), New York (6), North Dakota (8), Ohio (3), Oklahoma (13), Oregon (23), Pennsylvania (3), South Carolina (10), South Dakota (3), Tennessee (1), Texas (51), Utah (62), Virginia (1), Washington (26), Wisconsin (46), and Wyoming (7).
Evidence Pointing to Cucumbers
The CDC and state health officials looked at Salmonella test results, epidemiologic evidence, and traceback investigations to determine that cucumbers imported from Mexico and distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce were the likely source of the illnesses in this outbreak. The outbreak prompted a recall by Andrew & Williamson.
Salmonella Testing
Salmonella Poona isolates (cells of bacteria) were collected from ill people and from contaminated cucumbers at retail locations and the Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce facility. Traceback investigations found that the contaminated retail cucumbers were distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce.
Health officials then further tested these isolates with a process called whole genome sequencing (WGS), which finds the genetic “fingerprint” of an isolate. WGS evidence showed that the strains of Salmonella Poona from the people and the cucumbers were closely related genetically. This close genetic relationship provided additional evidence that people in this outbreak became ill from consuming cucumbers distributed by Andrew & Williamson.
Epidemiology
Health officials interviewed outbreak victims (and the parents of children sickened) to obtain information about foods they might have eaten and other exposures in the week before their illness began. In interviews, 391 (75%) of 519 people reported eating cucumbers.
Health officials also studied 11 illness clusters (groups of unrelated ill people who shopped at the same location) in seven of the states. In all of these clusters, interviews found that cucumbers were a common item eaten by the ill people. This provided critical clues about the source of this outbreak because if several unrelated ill persons eat or shop at the same location within several days of each other, it suggests that the contaminated food item was served or sold at that location.
Traceback Investigation
On August 26, 2015, health officials obtained information from four independent experts from the produce industry regarding fresh produce harvesting and distribution in the areas where ill people were being reported. The consultants provided information regarding crop production and distribution practices that helped assess the plausibility of cucumbers and other produce items as possible outbreak sources.
Traceback information collected from the 11 illness clusters indicated that cucumbers eaten by ill people were imported from Mexico and distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce.
Lawsuit for Money Damages and Justice
Our law firm is helping people sickened by contaminated food sue for compensation and justice. Contact our law firm about a lawsuit.
Even though this outbreak is over, you have time to file a lawsuit if you have a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
