AUGUST 18
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that the multi-state Salmonella outbreak caused by contaminated Maradol papayas has increased to 173 people. One person, a resident of New York City, has died, and 58 victims have been hospitalized across 21 states.
The CDC said that the outbreak includes four types of Salmonella: Kiambu, Thompson, Agona, and Gaminara. The four strains of Salmonella were found in samples collected from Maradol papayas and from people who became sick after eating them.
Both the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are advising consumers not to eat Maradol papayas from the Carica de Campeche farm in Mexico. The papayas are sold under numerous brand names, including Caribeña, Cavi, and Valery. The FDA is working to identify other brands of Maradol papayas that might have originated from the Carica de Campeche farm.
The two organizations have recommended that consumers not eat, restaurants not serve, and retailers not sell Maradol papayas from the Carica de Campeche farm. If you aren’t sure if the papaya you bought is a Maradol papaya from the Carica de Campeche farm, ask your retailer. When in doubt, don’t eat, sell, or serve papayas – throw them out.
In addition, the CDC is advising that consumers who have had Maradol papayas in their possession wash and sanitize countertops, drawers and shelves where Maradol papayas were stored.
Almost 400 Americans a year die because of Salmonella
The CDC estimates that there are 1 million annual cases of Salmonella poisoning in the United States, and almost 400 victims die. In addition, 19,000 of those sickened require hospitalization.
Salmonellosis affects the intestinal tract, and is one of the most common types of food poisoning year in and year out. Salmonellosis can develop anywhere from 12 hours to three days after consumption of food contaminated with Salmonella.
Symptoms generally include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, and chills. Most people recover without treatment, but in some cases, complications can occur and hospitalization is required.
Salmonella complications are numerous – and life-altering
People most at risk for complications are young children, pregnant women, elderly people, and those with suppressed immune systems. Complications can occur from Salmonellosis when the Salmonella bacteria enter the bloodstream. Those complications can result in:
- Meningitis: inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
- Endocarditis: infection of the heart’s inner lining.
- Osteomyelitis: bone inflammation that affects the legs, arms, or spine.
- Reactive arthritis (Reiter’s syndrome): a type of inflammatory arthritis that develops after a Salmonella infection in another part of the body.
Free consultation
Elliot Olsen has decades of experience representing people harmed by food illnesses, and he has regained millions of dollars in compensation for those victims. If you have become sick after eating Maradol papayas, please call him for a free consultation (612-337-6126), or complete the following form:
