A fast-growing foodborne illness outbreak is spreading across the United States, with 345 salmonella cases now reported in 27 states, even as a separate cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to severe diarrhea continues to affect consumers.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking the salmonella outbreak to jalapeños grown in Mexico and distributed by California-based Coast Citrus Distributors. The peppers were supplied to restaurant chains including Qdoba and Chipotle, both of which said they moved quickly to pull the jalapeños from their menus as a precaution.
Colorado and Minnesota account for the largest share of illnesses, with 110 confirmed cases in each state. Illinois has reported 30 cases, while Kansas has 13. In Minnesota, health officials said 89% of people who became sick had eaten at Chipotle between June 14 and July 14.
The CDC said additional cases have been identified in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
So far, 36 people have been hospitalized in connection with the salmonella outbreak. No deaths have been reported, according to the health agency.
Coast Citrus Distributors has indicated it will issue a recall, the CDC said. The Food and Drug Administration is also investigating whether the contaminated jalapeños may have reached grocery store shelves.
Salmonella infections are commonly linked to contaminated animal products and produce, including chicken, turkey, eggs, milk, melons, tomatoes and leafy greens.
Common symptoms include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.
The salmonella outbreak comes hot on the heels of the cyclosporiasis “explosive diarrhea” outbreak, which has sickened more than 22,000 people and hospitalized more than 500, according to CDC — more than half of them in Michigan.
Two Michigan residents, both of whom had “significant underlying health conditions,” died after contracting the foodborne illness, according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.
The outbreak is believed to have come from tainted iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms, which was supplied to Taco Bell restaurants.
