Federal officials are investigating a new outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said 16 people were infected. The agency did not disclose the patient’s age or place of residence.
The source of salmonella is not yet known. The FDA has begun tracking efforts but has not reported which foods it is tracking.
In other outbreak news, the FDA has launched an overseas investigation related to the Salmonella Newport outbreak traced to imported melons.
Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the Salmonella Newport outbreak over. The agency had not previously reported the outbreak to the public.
The outbreak has infected at least 70 people in 25 states. It is likely that many more people were infected in this outbreak because some people did not receive treatment and others were not specifically tested for salmonella. According to the CDC, for every person confirmed to be sick, up to 29 more people are sick.
The Salmonella Newport strain involved in the outbreak was linked to cantaloupes imported from Guatemala by Ayco Farms Inc. of Pompano Beach, Florida, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Once Ayco Farms was identified as a co-supplier, the FDA worked with the company to ensure its products were available to customers. Although the imported cantaloupes are past their expiration date and will likely no longer be on the market, Ayco Farms has initiated a recall to ensure downstream customers no longer process and extend the shelf life of the affected cantaloupes.
According to the FDA, there appears to be no ongoing risk to public health and it does not recommend that consumers generally avoid cantaloupes.
As part of the outbreak investigation, the FDA issued Import Alert 99-35 to Ayco San Jorge Y Compania Limitada and Agrobassy Y Cia Ltda, resulting in automatic detention of melons from these companies without physical examination.
None of these companies’ products may enter U.S. commerce until the companies demonstrate that they have overcome the violations that led to this action. The FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
