Salmonella In Tomatoes Causing Food Poisoning In 16 States

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Salmonella food poisoning first linked to uncooked tomatoes has spread to 16 states, federal health officials said Saturday.

Investigations by the Texas and New Mexico Departments of Health and the U.S. Indian Health Service have tied 56 cases in Texas and 55 in New Mexico to raw, uncooked, tomatoes.

"We're seeing a steady increase," Deborah Busemeyer, New Mexico Department of Health communications director, said Saturday.

An additional 50 people have been sickened by the same Salmonella "Saintpaul" infection in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

Investigators are trying to determine if raw tomatoes also are responsible for the illnesses in those states, said Arleen Porcell, a CDC spokeswoman.

The source of the tomatoes responsible for the illnesses has not been pinpointed, but health officials in Texas and New Mexico said none of them was grown in those two states.

At least 23 people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported, she said. Patients ranged in age from 1 to 82.

The rarity of the Saintpaul strain and the number of illnesses "suggest that implicated tomatoes are distributed throughout the country," she said.

Story continues below

advertisement

Interviews conducted with 73 people found the illnesses began between April 16 and May 27, Porcell said.

Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached and homegrown tomatoes are likely not the source of the outbreak, Busemeyer said.

Also not associated with the outbreak are raw Roma, red plum and round red tomatoes from Arkansas, California, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Belgium, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, Netherlands and Puerto Rico, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Association.

Salmonella is a bacteria that lives in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals. It usually is transmitted to humans by eating food contaminated with animal feces.

Most infected people suffer fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps starting 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness tends to last four to seven days. Many people recover without treatment, but severe infection and death is possible.

___

On the Net:

CDC salmonella: http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/saintpaul/

Comments

[BPCentrisAmerican]

Because 2 greedy bastards are running the country or not running the country what ever, just a thought. What was it that Rush said? “Roosevelt is dead, his policies live on, and we will do something about that to”. Really, Rush have you ever thought about why a President's legacy lives on for 60 years, I have. The policies of the Dukes of Hazzard (Supply Side Economics on steroids) will be forgotten faster than your S Class sucks a tank of gas, people just don't like losing their homes and eating dog food.

George Bush is off on a farewell tour of Europe, that’s pretty funny, you think the police their well use water cannons or tear gas? Texas would be a better destination. By the way, is President Cheney duck hunting with his buddy Scalia.

[Larry of Corrales]

is this a comment on the tomato problem?

[dapaul]

If the restaurants actually wash the tomatoes before serving them, this wouldn't be a problem. A lot of people do not wash produce before eating, which makes it their own fault.

[pinkyboo]

True enough with the tomatoes, washing them would protect you but when the spinach was killing people a simple washing wasn't enough the bacteria got into the root system of those veggies- we need some actual oversight on our food supply!

[Creampuff]

Actually, once the bacteria is on the plant tissue, washing doesn't really do any good. When it's in there, it's in there. The only way to kill it is to cook it.

[RDixon]

Attack of the killer tomatoes?

[heal57]

It's not always easy to find local grown veggies but I think we will starting growing tomatoes; and I think frozen veggies are safer [and better]. They're not lying around somewhere for days and days and days.

[spiderbucket]

Buy local and wash your fruits and veggies. Problem solved.

[jah2008]

Exactly. Oh, and wash your hands after going to the restroom. I'm tired of these veggie-demonizing. Tomato isn't evil.

[Krikkit]

Looks like someone is using uncomposted chicken feces mixed with water sprayed on the tops of the plants as fertilizer.

Here's a thought: Instead of shipping tomatoes from overseas (especially with rising fuel costs attached to everything shipped), why aren't we growing our own produce at home farms?

[fact finder]

Krikket; No space or to lazy. I have a garden that is producing quite well thank you.

[deepintheheartoftejas]

Cause then we only get tomatoes for 3 months out of the year, and that is INHUMAN TORTURE.

I do grow my own tomatoes in my small backyard garden, like many Texans do. But I'll happily buy grocery store ones when they aren't in season here. I eat raw tomatoes for breakfast nearly every morning. They're too good to go without.

[1IrishdeAztlan]

The headline is wrong. Salmonella is not "caused" by tomatoes. Or for that matter . . . spinach, green onions, corn, cabbage, peppers, or any other fruit or vegetable. The most common cause is fecal matter, be it from humans or livestock.

[bentenrai]

Under my salmonella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh
Under my salmonella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh