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June 11, 2008 -- The FDA has added five states to its list of safe sources of raw red plum, raw red Roma, and raw round red tomatoes that aren't linked to the salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 167 people in 17 states since mid-April.
Last week, the FDA and CDC warned of a salmonella outbreak associated with certain types of tomatoes from certain sources.
One death is linked to the outbreak, although the CDC is still investigating whether the death was truly part of the ongoing outbreak.
According to the Houston Chronicle, the death certificate of Raul Rivera, 67, says he died of lymphoma, a cancer of white blood cells. But the Chronicle says the Houston Health Department lists salmonella as a contributing factor in the death.
Rivera was celebrating good news about his cancer treatment at a local restaurant, where he and other family members ate pico de gallo, a condiment made with raw tomatoes. Rivera and four family members fell ill.?
The CDC and the FDA are still trying to discover the source of the epidemic.
Health officials are investigating the outbreak's source. Meanwhile, the FDA says the following types of tomatoes from any source are fine to eat and have not been associated with the outbreak:
Here are 16 questions and answers about salmonella, symptoms of salmonella infection, and how to avoid salmonella in the first place.
Salmonella are bacteria that can live in the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals. There are many strains of salmonella; the tomato outbreak involves an uncommon strain called Salmonella saintpaul.
Salmonella infection (salmonellosis) can cause diarrhea (which may be bloody), fever, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Symptoms typically start 12-72 hours after infection.
Anyone can get salmonella. Most cases aren't severe. Serious and potentially fatal cases are more likely in young children, frail or elderly people, and people with weak immune systems. Those cases can happen when salmonella infection spreads from the intestines to the blood and other parts of the body.
No deaths have been reported in the tomato outbreak. However, at least 23 people have been hospitalized with Salmonella saintpaul infection.
Rinsing tainted fruits and vegetables probably won't get rid of salmonella, according to the FDA. In general, it's important to handle foods safely. That generally means rinsing raw, whole fruits and vegetables under running water and, if you choose, scrubbing them with a small vegetable brush to remove surface dirt. It also means that when you cook foods, you cook them thoroughly.