June 2008

Reuter’s reports that there has been an outbreak of Salmonella food poisoning in the U.S. in nine states: Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas and Utah.

Illnesses in Texas and New Mexico are being blamed on eating raw tomatoes, so the investigation in the other states is also zeroing in on tomatoes. In Texas and New Mexico, there have been 57 reported cases of illness caused by an uncommon type of Salmonella bacteria called SaintPaul since late April.

About 30 more illnesses have been reported in the other 7 states. Health officials are trying to determine if they’re all connected.

Although at least 17 people have been hospitalized, thankfully no deaths have been reported. The ages of those sickened ranges from 3 to 82 years, she said.

Early research showed that the people who became sick in New Mexico and Texas had eaten raw tomatoes, so they’re being looked at as the source of thier infection. The investigation in the other 7 states is centering around raw tomatoes as well. (I SO feel like I’m reporting on a crime investigation.)

The specific tomatoes that seem suspicious (I don’t guess they have an alibi) are raw red plum, red Roma, or round red tomatoes.

According to the FDA, the tomatoes not linked to this outbreak (those with alibis) include cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached and tomatoes grown at home.

An illness courtesy of Salmonella may cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pains and bouts of fever 12 to 72 hours after eating the infected food. The illness can lst up to 4 to 7 days.

Infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe illness, which can be deadly unless treated with antibiotics.

Until the source of the infection is confirmed, health officials advise high risk individuals in New Mexico and Texas not to eat any of these suspected varieties of tomatoes. Personally, if I lived in New Mexico or Texas, I’d avoid the suspects whether I was in the risky group or not.

I’m fairly certain that, in the end, we’ll discover that it’s the gas prices that are to blame for the whole shebang. Why? Because in my mind, fuel prices are to blame for everything, that’s why. Where I live (Owensboro, Kentucky), it’s gotten up to $3.76.

I’ll report any new information I find on tomatoes, salmonella, and the investigation a.s.a.p.