Black Cucumber Contamination Leads to Salmonella Outbreak - 196 Cases Reported Across 26 U.S. States

According to the information released by the CDC, the United States experienced a Salmonella outbreak event in June 2024 related to raw cucumbers. The key details are as follows:

Outbreak Summary

1. The event has resulted in a total of 196 illness cases, with 34 new cases. There have been 68 hospitalized cases, 14 of which are new. No deaths have been reported from the incident.
2. The outbreak has affected 28 states and Washington D.C., with 3 additional states newly involved.
3. The investigation has found that raw cucumbers are likely the culprit behind this Salmonella outbreak. Testing of a collected cucumber sample revealed the presence of Salmonella, triggering this recall.

Recall Information

1. Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. has recalled certain raw cucumbers.
2. These cucumbers were grown in Florida and shipped to 14 states between May 17 and May 21, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
3. This recall does not include English cucumbers or mini cucumbers.

Prevention Advice

1. Do not consume any recalled cucumbers. If you have recently purchased cucumbers, contact the store to confirm if they are part of the recall. If you cannot verify, do not eat them.
2. Clean any items or surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled cucumbers using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.
3. Seek medical attention promptly if you experience severe Salmonella symptoms such as fever over 102°F, diarrhea lasting more than 3 days (without improvement), bloody diarrhea, or severe vomiting.

In summary, this Salmonella outbreak primarily originated from cucumbers grown in Florida, leading to widespread illness cases across multiple states. Consumers who may have consumed the related cucumbers should follow the prevention recommendations to avoid harm to their health.