The FDA and CDC have not updated the size and scope of this outbreak since July 2.
As of July 2, a total of 449 cases of infection with either the Salmonella africana or Salmonella blenderup outbreak strains have been reported in 31 states and the District of Columbia, including 215 cases with the newly added Salmonella blenderup strain.
The illness began between March 11, 2024 and June 4, 2024. Of the 360 cases with information, 125 have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
Public health investigators used the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may have been part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet maintains a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illness. Bacteria’s DNA fingerprints are done using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS showed that the bacteria from samples from sick people are closely related genetically, which means that people in this outbreak probably got sick from the same types of foods.
FDA follow-up investigations have identified Bedner Growers, Inc. in Florida as the cucumber supplier for this outbreak. This one grower is not the source of all illnesses in this outbreak. FDA collected samples at the Florida grower and identified Salmonella blenderup in untreated canal water. WGS determined that the Salmonella found in the water is the same strain of Salmonella blenderup that made people sick in this outbreak. Additional soil and water samples collected at Bedner Growers, Inc. tested positive for other strains of Salmonella. CDC and FDA are investigating whether these strains caused illness in people.
