Since its Aug. 19 update on a Salmonella outbreak linked to fresh peaches, the CDC has added 10 patients and three more states to its tally. Additional products have been recalled.
Most of the recalled Wawona and Prima Wawona peaches were sold in bulk bins where shoppers select the fruit piece by piece, according to today’s update from the Centers for Disease Control and prevention. There are now 78 confirmed patients across 12 states in the outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections.
Wawona Packing Co. has expanded its recall to include all bulk peaches shipped through Aug. 3. Wawona peaches sold in bags under various brands are also under recall. Many grocery retailers have recalled peaches because of the outbreak. Also, peach salsa from Russ Davis Wholesale has been recalled, along with a limited number of gift baskets that include fresh peaches. The recalled peach salsa was sold under three brand names and labeled as “Perfectly Peach Salsa.”
Canadian officials report 33 Salmonella infections in their country have been liked to the U.S. outbreak. Various Wawona peaches are under recall in Canada. As of today officials in New Zealand and Singapore reported the implicated peaches had been imported into their countries, but they have not reported any confirmed illnesses.
Public health officials are urging consumers who have any of the recalled peaches on hand to immediately discard them. For those who have peaches of unknown origin, the agencies recommend “when in doubt, throw it out.” The peaches should be thrown out even if some have been eaten and no one got sick, according to the CDC.
In today’s update, the CDC reports the outbreak illnesses began on dates ranging from June 9 through Aug. 3. Ill people range in age from 1 to 92 years old. Some illnesses might not yet be reported because of the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is laboratory confirmed and reported to the CDC. This takes an average of two to four weeks.
Of 67 ill people with available information, 23 hospitalizations have been reported. No deaths have been reported. Of 45 people with information available, 38, or 84 percent, reported eating fresh peaches in the week before their illnesses started. Of the 31 people who reported information on how the peaches were packaged, 19, or 61 percent, reported buying loose peaches and 12, or 39 percent, reported buying pre-bagged peaches.
The Food and Drug Administration is continuing its investigation of the outbreak, along with the CDC, Canadian officials, and state and provincial authorities.
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