Salmonella outbreak from recalled cucumbers impacts Delaware. What you should know

A salmonella outbreak from recalled cucumbers has impacted Delaware.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of salmonella infections potentially linked to cucumbers. Epidemiological investigations have identified two strains of the bacteria linked to almost 400 cases of reported illness. The strains are Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one to two people in Delaware became ill because of the cucumbers.

Recalled cucumbers: Cucumbers in 14 states recalled over potential Salmonella contamination

States where people have gotten sick from salmonella linked to cucumbers

Back on May 31, Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. of Delray, Florida, recalled cucumbers grown in Florida and shipped to 14 states between May 17 and 21. That recall came after some cucumbers tested positive for salmonella, the FDA said on June 1.

While epidemiologic data show that cucumbers may be contaminated with Salmonella Africana and may be making people sick, the FDA and CDC have not confirmed that cucumbers are the source of illness in any ongoing outbreaks.  The agencies are continuing to investigate both outbreaks to determine the specific sources and products involved.

However, with so many people who developed salmonella infections having reported eating cucumbers, those cucumbers are likely involved, Bill Marler, a food safety lawyer, told USA TODAY.

Here are the states reporting Salmonella Africana infections:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Iowa
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington

What is salmonella?

Salmonella is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

According to previous reporting, the cucumbers are unlikely in the marketplace, anyone with the recalled product should not consume it and should destroy and discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Consumers should check with their retailer or place of purchase to determine whether the recalled cucumbers were sold where they shop.