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By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal and state agencies report investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Uganda infections linked to whole, fresh papayas imported from Mexico.

Image/CDC

Sixty-two people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Uganda have been reported from 8 states–(Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas).

In addition, 23 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Of 33 ill people with available information, 22 reported being of Hispanic ethnicity.

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Epidemiologic evidence and early product distribution information indicate that whole, fresh papayas imported from Mexico and sold in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island are a likely source of this outbreak.

CDC advises if you live in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, or Rhode Island, do not eat whole, fresh papayas imported from Mexico. Throw the papayas away, even if some of them were eaten and no one has gotten sick.

    • Do not eat fruit salads or other foods that include papayas from Mexico.
    • If you aren’t sure the papaya you bought is from Mexico, you can ask the place of purchase. When in doubt, don’t eat the papaya. Throw it out.