Maradol papayas from Mexico have been linked to a salmonella outbreak. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the outbreak is limited to one Mexican Maradol papaya label, Caribeña brand, distributed by Grande Produce in San Juan, TX and grown on a farm in Campeche, Mexico. So far, no other papaya labels are affected by this outbreak. Guatemala, Brazil, Belize and Hawaii are other papaya sourcing countries/regions and are not impacted. Neither are other papaya labels from Mexico.
More than 100 people have been infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Kiambu have been reported from 16 states and 35 ill people have been hospitalized. One death has been reported from New York City. The map below shows the number of cases per state. Whole genome sequencing showed that isolates from people infected with Salmonella Kiambu are closely related genetically. This close genetic relationship means that people in this outbreak are more likely to share a common source of infection.
Infections were recorded as far back as May, and by July 21st 47 cases were recorded. Less than three weeks later, the case count had more than doubled to 109.
The documented cases are concentrated in the states of New York and New Jersey, the CDC said, which together account for 62 cases. Other states affected so far are: Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The CDC’s investigation is ongoing and updates will be provided when more information is available.
Source: CDC, bbc.com
