CDC Declares Cavi Brand Papaya Outbreak Over
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has declared the Salmonella outbreak linked to Cavi Brand Whole, Fresh Papayas officially over as of September 12, 2019 at 11 AM ET.
The CDC stated earlier this morning in a public health alert that “this outbreak appears to be over. Consumers no longer need to avoid eating Cavi brand whole papayas imported from Mexico. Always choose and handle fruit safely to help prevent foodborne illness”. The best ways to exercise safety when handling fruit is to thoroughly wash hands, as well as the fruit. Be sure to keep the fruit separate from any other foods such as meat which could contaminate it. Lastly, be sure to refrigerate fruit at least within two hours after cutting it up or cooking.
The outbreak of Salmonella Uganda infected 81 people across 9 different states but caused no reported deaths. Illnesses were reported between January 14, 2019- July 16, 2019 with most of them occurring in April. The outbreak affected both young and old with the median age being 62. An official recall was never declared, however, the CDC strongly warned consumers against purchase or contact with Cavi Brand Papayas.
The CDC reports that “Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicated that Cavi brand whole, fresh papayas imported from Mexico and distributed by Agroson’s LLC were the likely source of this outbreak”. During the investigation of the outbreak, the FDA gathered a list of grocery stores where people had bought papayas and fallen ill after eating them. These papayas were traced back as distributed from Agroson’s LLC of The Bronx, New York, N.Y . to the various grocery stores. Since July 16, there have not been any more reported cases of Salmonella Uganda linked to these papayas. As of today, September 12, the CDC has declared the outbreak as over.
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/uganda-06-19/index.html
https://www.producebluebook.com/2019/09/12/fda-declares-papaya-salmonella-outbreak-over/
https://www.freshfruitportal.com/news/2019/09/12/fda-papaya-linked-salmonella-outbreak-now-over/
