Source: Produce Oasis

That’s what the Washington Post has to say! In the article published earlier today, they estimated that about 1148 people were affected by this outbreak.

With the latest cases reported as of July 4, the nationwide toll fromSalmonellaSaintpaul now stands at 1,148 people in 42 states, the District of Columbia and Canada, according to the latest figures posted on the Web site of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 220 people have been hospitalized.

Have they found the cause of this outbreak yet? Nope.

Officials, meanwhile, appear no closer to zeroing in on the cause.

An initial investigation of the outbreak, in New Mexico and Texas, suggested raw tomatoes as the likely source of the contamination. But a larger, nationwide study comparing persons who fell ill in June found that those who were sickened were likely to have recently eaten raw tomatoes, as well as fresh jalapeno and serrano peppers, and fresh cilantro.

In general, avoid eating the dishes that may contain jalapeno peppers or tomatoes.

Raw jalapeno peppers are often used in the fresh preparation of salsa, pico de gallo, and other dishes. Raw tomatoes are often used in the preparation of fresh salsa, guacamole, and pico de gallo.

The article ends with a note about the effects of Salmonella infection in humans.

Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea in humans. Some 40,000 cases of salmonellosis are reported in the United States each year, although the CDC estimates that because milder cases are not diagnosed or reported, the actual number of infections may be 30 or more times greater. Approximately 600 people die each year after being infected.

However, the strain ofSalmonellasaintpaul had been previously considered rare. In 2007, according to the CDC, there were only three people infected in the country during April through June.

Tip.