Salmonella and cucumbers! Can you really get infected? Symptoms, recovery and precautions you should know

Cucumbers are being recalled from over 24 U.S. states and Canada due to fears of spreading salmonella infection. 68 cases have been reported so far. Health officials warn that the contaminated cucumbers may still be in refrigerators and advise against consumption.

According to SunFed Produce, the recall affects whole fresh cucumbers distributed to food service and retail outlets between October 12th and November 26th. These products were packaged in large cardboard containers marked “SunFed” or in generic white boxes or black plastic boxes with a sticker identifying the producer as Agrotato, SA de CV

The pickles were delivered to customers in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York and other areas

These were grown in Sonora, Mexico.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said 68 people in 19 states were infected with the Salmonella Typhimurium strain and 18 of them were hospitalized. No deaths were reported. The FDA also said recalled cucumbers should be thrown away or destroyed and not eaten

“These cucumbers may still be in your refrigerator. So check the stickers on your cucumbers. If the sticker says “SunFed Mexico” as the place where your cucumbers were grown, throw them away or return them to the place where you bought them,” the U.S. Centers for Disease Control said and disease prevention in a food safety alert released Friday reported by CNN.

What are the symptoms of a salmonella infection?

Symptoms of a salmonella infection include diarrhea and bloody diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting, which can occur within hours or days of consuming the bacteria.

How can I recover?

Most people recover with proper treatment, but those who experience severe symptoms, prolonged illness, or signs of dehydration should seek medical attention immediately. Children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness.