Public health officials in the United States continue to identify Salmonella Montevideo cases connected to fresh cucumbers despite the CDC's declaration that the outbreak is over. The outbreak count rose to 69 patients as of June 30, from 45 reported earlier. Patients hail from 21 states, an increase from 18 in the previous update. Among 60 individuals with complete data, 22 required hospitalization.
Interviews reveal that 29 out of 35 sick individuals consumed cucumbers before falling ill. Illness onsets date back to April 2 and include cruise ship passengers from six different ships. Infected consumers purchased cucumbers from various places, including grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals, and cruise ships.
The CDC estimates that undetected cases may outnumber identified patients, suggesting a broader scope of affected individuals due to underreporting and a lack of specific testing for Salmonella infections.
The outbreak strain traces back to cucumbers from Bedner Growers Inc., Boynton Beach, FL, distributed by Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc., Delray, FL. Product recalls for these cucumbers were enacted, with the FDA stating that recalled items are beyond shelf life and not available for sale currently.
FDA investigations led to product sampling at a Pennsylvania distribution facility, confirming Salmonella Montevideo in Bedner cucumbers. Whole Genome Sequencing established a match with the outbreak strain. Further analysis discovered Salmonella Braenderup, linked to a 2024 outbreak of Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup, likely associated with cucumbers grown by Bedner Growers Inc.
Cucumbers from Bedner Growers Inc. and Thomas Produce Company, Boca Raton, FL, were identified as sources of the 2024 multi-state Salmonella Africana and Salmonella Braenderup outbreak, affecting 551 individuals across 34 states and the District of Columbia.
FDA inspections at Bedner Growers Inc. and Thomas Produce Company detected Salmonella Braenderup in canal water samples. Sequencing confirmed the presence of Salmonella strains matching those from the outbreak. In addition, soil and water samples from both farms revealed other Salmonella strains unrelated to the 2024 outbreak. These matched clinical isolates from illnesses recorded in the National Center for Biotechnology Information's database, spanning 2024 and earlier years.
Source: Food Safety News
