A Salmonella outbreak linked to fresh jalapeño peppers has sickened 431 people across 32 US states, with 57 hospitalisations and no deaths reported, but the CDC warns the confirmed figure is likely an underestimate.
The latest tally represents 86 more illnesses and 21 additional hospitalisations than the previous update, when 345 cases and 36 hospitalisations were reported across 27 states. The CDC says many people recover without seeking medical care or are never tested, while linking an illness to an outbreak can take three to four weeks.
The FDA has warned consumers not to eat recalled jalapeños or products containing them. The outbreak involves Salmonella Javiana and has been linked to fresh jalapeños grown in Sinaloa, Mexico, and distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors.
The 431 confirmed illnesses have been reported across 32 states, with patients ranging from under one to 85. Illnesses began between 19 June and 2 August, according to the CDC.
Of 224 people interviewed, 203, or 91%, reported eating at a Mexican-style restaurant before becoming ill. The restaurant connection became an important clue in tracing the outbreak.
Investigators identified illness clusters involving Chipotle and QDOBA. Both chains received jalapeños from Coast Citrus Distributors but have stopped using the affected peppers. The FDA says there is no current ongoing risk from either establishment because the implicated product was removed.
The CDC warns that the outbreak may not be limited to the 32 states where illnesses have been identified, meaning the case count and geographic footprint could grow.
The outbreak has triggered recalls beyond fresh jalapeños, meaning consumers could encounter the implicated peppers without buying them directly.
Coast Citrus began a limited recall on 22 July and agreed to recall remaining implicated jalapeños on 5 August. Recalled peppers were used in burritos, bowls, guacamole, pico de gallo, sandwiches, salsa and other prepared foods.
Investigators identified a common grower in Sinaloa as the likely source, but the grower's identity has not been publicly disclosed. The distributor is no longer importing from that grower.
The 431 cases reflect only confirmed infections, not everyone who may have become ill.
The CDC says the true number is likely higher because many people recover without medical care and are never tested. Recent infections can also take weeks to be connected to the outbreak, and the agency has not estimated how many cases may have gone undetected.
Illnesses began as early as 19 June, while the latest reported onset was 2 August. More infections could therefore be identified as investigators receive laboratory results and establish links to the outbreak strain.
Consumers should not eat recalled jalapeños or products containing them. People with frozen fresh jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico, imported by Coast Citrus Distributors should discard them or return them to the point of purchase in line with recall instructions.
Children younger than five, adults 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems face a higher risk of severe illness. The CDC advises medical attention for bloody diarrhoea, prolonged diarrhoea, high fever, persistent vomiting or dehydration.