Cucumbers linked to the salmonella outbreak first reported in September that killed four people are still making people sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says that since it's last update on the recall on Oct. 14, 71 people have been reported ill in 23 states.
New cases were reported in Connecticut and New Hampshire, bringing the total number of states affected by the tainted cucumbers to 38. There are now 838 cases of salmonella, with 165 hospitalizations and four reported deaths.
"The number of reported illnesses has declined substantially since the peak of illnesses in August and September; however, it has not returned to the number of reported illnesses that we would expect to see (about five every month)," said the CDC's outbreak update issued on Thursday, according to CNN.
The CDC notes that since there is a delay in linking illnesses to an outbreak, illnesses that have occurred since Oct. 21 may not yet be linked to to the outbreak, and thus the number of cases could continue to rise. A CDC timeline suggests that it takes an average of two to four weeks to confirm whether a person is part of an outbreak or is simply an isolated case.
The CDC is still investigating the initial recall, which affected cucumbers sold under the Fat Boy label, produced in Baja California and Mexico, and distributed by Custom Produce Sales from Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce starting Aug.1, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The affected cucumbers have dark green skin, are between 7 and 10 inches in length, and sold in bulk without any wrapper. They were sold in states including: Arizona, California, Minnesota, New Mexico, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin.
If you happen to be in possession of one of the recalled items, the CDC advises disposing of the cucumbers and sanitizing anywhere they were stored. If unsure about the cucumbers you have, contact the store where the cucumbers were purchased.
