Salmonella outbreak claims third life
Salmonella outbreak claims third life
Arizona's state and local health investigators have now identified 85 total cases of Salmonella Poona in the state, including 16 in Pima County, where one woman has died as a result of the infection. There have been two other deaths — one in California and one in Texas — connected to the outbreak.
As of the most recent report from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, there have been 418 cases reported in 31 states. All of these cases are part of a national outbreak linked to cucumbers grown in Mexico and distributed by San Diego-based Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce.
On Sept. 4 the company recalled products produced in Baja California and sold under the “Limited Edition” label between Aug. 1 and Sept. 3, and it was expected to start harvesting and shipping cucumbers from a different region of Mexico starting the week of Sept. 21.
According to the Pima County Health Department, the woman who died was older and had serious underlying health conditions. She died while being treated for her illness in an area hospital.
“This circumstance is a saddening reminder that illnesses that often don’t cause a high level of harm to most people can have a devastating effect on those in our community that are most medically vulnerable,” Francisco Garcia, health department director, said in a press release.
The likelihood and severity of infections from diseases like Salmonella are heightened in young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems due to conditions like heart disease, COPD, HIV or other illnesses.
CDC said illnesses reported after Aug. 22 might not be recorded yet due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and the illness is reported.
