More than 150 people have become sick after being exposed to cucumbers that may have been contaminated with salmonella, the CDC said Wednesday.
As of Tuesday, 162 cases of cucumber-related illnesses have been reported across 25 states and Washington, D.C., with 54 people hospitalized and no deaths reported, according to the CDC.
Most of the infected people were concentrated in Pennsylvania, Florida, Virginia and New York.
“The actual number of sick people from this outbreak is likely much higher than the reported number, and the outbreak may not be limited to states with known disease,” the CDC said.
One company, Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., announced last week that from May 17 to May 21, it would sell products in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, and the FDA in Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, among others, were revealed.
Affected produce is about 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter and 5 to 9 inches long. This recall does not include mini cucumbers or English cucumbers.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture first notified Delray, Florida-based Fresh Start that one of its products tested positive for salmonella.
The cucumbers are “unlikely to reach the market.” However, customers should check with their local grocery store to see if the product is sold in their area. The FDA said people who bought affected cucumbers can throw them away or return them to the store for a full refund.
Exposure to salmonella can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. It can be fatal in vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. In rare cases, it can cause conditions such as arthritis.