Infected Onions Cause Salmonella Outbreak Centered in South of Country

Infected Onions Cause Salmonella Outbreak Centered in South of Country 

An outbreak of the Salmonella bacterial infection has sickened close to 700 people, mostly in Texas in Oklahoma, but also a number in Virginia, with lighter caseloads of infections in states neighboring these epicenters, the Center for Disease Control has reported. 

As of October 20, there were a total of 652 reported infections, with 129 of the patients being hospitalized. 

The infections were linked to fresh whole red, white, and yellow onions imported from Chihuahua, Mexico and distributed by ProSource Inc. “These onions were sold to restaurants and grocery stores throughout the United States,” the CDC said.

“ProSource Inc. indicated onions were last imported on August 27, but these imported onions can last up to three months in storage and may still be in homes and businesses. Investigators are working to determine if other onions and suppliers are linked to this outbreak.” 

The CDC cautioned consumers “not to buy or eat any whole fresh red, white, or yellow onions if they were imported from Chihuahua, Mexico and distributed by ProSource Inc., and throw away any whole red, white, or yellow onions you have at home that do not have a sticker or packaging.

There may be many more cases which may have gone unreported. 

The CDC advised anyone with symptoms consistent with Salmonella, such as diarrhea, fever above 102°F, and dehydration, to report them to their healthcare provider immediately, as untreated Salmonella can be quite dangerous, R”l.