A Massive Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cucumbers Has Spread to 39 States

Fifty more illnesses have been reported.

The massive salmonella outbreak connected to cucumbers has spread to 39 states and six people have died, the Centers for Disease Control announced in a Tuesday update. It's the CDC's first update since November 19, and in the interim 50 illnesses have been reported in 16 states. In total, 888 cases of salmonella have been reported.

The cucumbers in question were grown in Mexico and distributed by San Diego-based Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce. In September, the outbreak led to a recall that affected major brands across the country, including Red Lobster, In-N-Out Burger, Walmart, and Whole Foods. Around the same time, a lawsuit was filed against Red Lobster and its produce distributor over a Minnesota child's salmonella-related illness.

Two deaths have been reported since the last CDC update, both in California, and Tennessee is the only new state affected. The number of reported salmonella cases has declined since the peak of the outbreak, but the CDC says "it has not returned to the number of reported illnesses that we would expect to see (about one every month during this time of year)."

Andrew and Williamson imported the cucumbers from Rancho Don Juanito de R.L. de C.V. in Baja, Mexico, but the source of contamination has not yet been identified. The CDC, Food and Drug Administration, and multiple states are investigating.

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