Salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is reporting an outbreak of salmonella linked to cucumbers and is advising consumers to check their refrigerators for contaminated products.

At this time, there are 68 known cases, of which 18 have led to hospitalizations. The hardest-hit state is Montana with 16 cases, with two in Wyoming.

The cucumbers in question were recalled last week by SunFed Produce LLC. Check for whole cucumbers with the “SunFed” label or the name of the grower, “Agrotato, S.A. de C.V.”, or a sticker showing “SunFed Mexico”.

The cucumbers were sold between October 12 and November 26. The CDC recommends throwing away any cucumbers you bought during this time period if you can’t tell where they are from.

If you do find any potentially contaminated cucumbers, the CDC recommends using soapy water or a dishwasher to clean items and surfaces they may have touched.

Call your healthcare provider if you develop severe symptoms such as diarrhea and a fever above 102 degrees F, diarrhea for more than three days or with blood, so much vomiting you cannot keep liquids down or signs of dehydration.

Symptoms can begin within six hours and six days after swallowing the bacteria. Most people recover without treatment within a week.