14 In CT Sickened In New Salmonella Outbreak, CDC Says

A salmonella outbreak linked to fruit has sickened 62 people, including 14 in Connecticut, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said this weekend.

The salmonella strain has hit eight states, and 23 people have been hospitalized as a result of the outbreak, the CDC said. No deaths have been reported.

Federal health officials are warning people to take extra precaution during Independence Day week when handling papayas or any fruit salad that contains it.

Do not eat, serve, or sell whole, fresh papayas imported from Mexico or food that contains papaya from Mexico in these states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, according to the CDC.

New York has the highest amount of cases with 24, followed by Connecticut, and then New Jersey, with 12, according to the CDC.

Sicknesses have been reported in these states: Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas. Most of the sick people in this outbreak are adults over 60, according to the CDC.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from Jan. 14 to June 8. Most illnesses have occurred since April, according to the CDC.

Interviews with ill people and early product distribution information indicate the likely source of this outbreak is whole, fresh papayas from Mexico that were sold in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, according to the CDC.

The CDC gave advice to consumers, retailers and restaurants:

• If you live in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania or Rhode Island, do not eat whole, fresh papayas imported from Mexico. Throw the papayas away, even if some of them were eaten and no one has gotten sick.
• Do not eat fruit salads or other foods that include papayas from Mexico.
• If you aren't sure the papaya you bought is from Mexico, you can ask the place of purchase. When in doubt, don't eat the papaya. Throw it out.
• Wash and sanitize places where papayas were stored: countertops and refrigerator drawers or shelves. Follow these five steps to clean your refrigerator.
• The FDA strongly advises importers, suppliers, and distributors, as well as restaurants, retailers and other food service providers from all states to hold whole, fresh papayas imported from Mexico.

About salmonella:

• Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps 12-72 hours after eating contaminated food.
• The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
• See your healthcare provider if you are concerned about symptoms, such as a high fever (temperature over 102 degrees), blood in your poop, diarrhea, or frequent vomiting that prevents keeping liquid down.
• More information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/features/salmonella-food/index.html.

Tom Davis, Patch national staff, contributed to this article