Deadly Salmonella Outbreak Continues, Cucumber Recall Still in Effect

A deadly salmonella outbreak has lead to a cucumber recall in over 30 states, Country Living reports.

The outbreak began in September, when over 300 people in the United States and Canada became sick and two died due to cases of salmonella in cucumbers imported from Mexico. Months later, the outbreak is still in effect, and has spread to 39 states, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.

The outbreak was last updated in November, and since then 50 more people have been reported as ill and two more have died, bringing the death total to six. However, according to the California Department of Public Health, a salmonella infection was not considered to be a factor in either of the two additional deaths.

The CDC's new update states that because there are so many additional cases being reported, the salmonella outbreak cannot be classified as finished, although the number of reported cases has declined dramatically since the peak of infection in August and September. Because the number of reported illnesses is not at the norm, the CDC says that "The investigation into the source of these recent illnesses is ongoing."

The number of reported illnesses may rise again soon, as cases reported after December 21 may not have been included in the CDC's latest update.

The cucumber recall is still in effect.