The Salmonella Mexican Papaya Outbreak Has Turned deadly – New York City Reports Fatality from Complications of Salmonella Bacteria
In addition to the victim who died in New York City, at least 46 other victims in 12 states have been identified in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with a number of state and local health agencies, is currently investigating Caribena brand Maradol papayas which are imported and distributed by Texas-based Grande Produce which is situated in San Juan, Texas. At least one papaya salmonella lawsuit has been filed.
Investigators uncovered the link between the victims and Mexican papayas after testing demonstrated that the papayas were contaminated with the outbreak strains (there are two of them) of salmonella – the tests were done by the Maryland Department of Health on papayas being sold in a grocery store in Baltimore. Maryland has five of the 47 identified and confirmed victims.
In addition to Maryland’s five cases, New York has 13 victims and New Jersey a dozen. Virginia, which is also facing a large norovirus outbreak linked to Chipotle Mexican Grill, has identified six victims. Pennsylvania has identified four victims, while the states of Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Minnesota, Texas and Utah have each identified at least one person in this outbreak.
There has been one death and more than a dozen hospitalizations, with all victims reporting symptoms of food poisoning that can include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, head and body aches, and other attendant maladies.
The FDA has announced that Grande Produce has issued a recall of all Caribena brand Maradol papayas distributed between July 7 and July 18. The company has not issued a statement yet, to our knowledge.
FDA is advising consumers to avoid all Caribena brand Maradol papayas. The FDA also noted that there are illnesses in states where Grande Produce did not distribute papayas and is continuing its investigation
For more information about the Salmonella Mexican Papaya Outbreak, the Papaya lawsuit filed on behalf of one of the victims, or to speak directly to a salmonella lawyer, call 1-888-335-4901.
