A national Salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeño peppers has infected 345 people across 27 states, with Washington notching its first confirmed case.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and public health officials in several states are currently investigating the outbreak after 36 people have been hospitalized, the CDC announced.
Washington currently has only one confirmed case related to the outbreak. The states most heavily impacted by the outbreak are Minnesota and Colorado, each with 110 confirmed Salmonella cases linked to the jalapeño peppers. No deaths have been linked to the outbreak, as of this reporting.
Chipotle, QDOBA have pulled the affected peppers from their stores
Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA have both stopped serving affected jalapeño peppers after being notified of the outbreak. After the restaurant chains’ actions to remove the product from their stores, the CDC and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not consider there to be an ongoing risk from either establishment.
“The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses,” the CDC stated.
Of the 191 people interviewed, 93% reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant before their illness, including Chipotle Mexican Grill and QDOBA. Meal dates ranged from June 14 to July 14.
Coast Citrus Distributors has also agreed to recall its jalapeño peppers grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, that have been linked to the outbreak.
Consumers are urged to check for, toss any recalled peppers
The FDA is actively working to determine if jalapeño peppers were distributed to grocery stores. If any affected jalapeño peppers were available at stores, additional recalls will be posted here.
The CDC urged anyone who has recalled jalapeño peppers at home not to eat them.
Consumers should call their healthcare provider if they have any symptoms, which include diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees, diarrhea for more than three days, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up, and less frequent urination.
Symptoms of Salmonella generally include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, with symptoms tending to arise six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria. Most people recover without treatment after four to seven days.
The CDC noted that some people, especially children younger than five years old and adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
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