Salmonella Kiambu Infections Linked to Yellow Maradol Papayas: 47 ill in 12 States & 1 Death
July 22nd, 2017
What are the signs and symptoms of Salmonella infection?
Most people infected with Salmonella develop the following signs and symptoms 12-72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Abdominal cramps
How long does the illness last?
- The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment.
- In some people, the diarrhea may be so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized. Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the bloodstream and then to other places in the body.
- In rare cases, Salmonella infection can cause death unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics.
Who is more likely to have a severe illness?
- Children younger than 5 years
- Adults older than 65
- People with weakened immune systems
More information about Salmonella and steps people can take to reduce their risk of infection with Salmonella in general can be found on the CDCSalmonella(https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/general/index.html) website.
Advice to Consumers, Restaurants, and Retailers
Yellow Maradol Papaya: Maradol papayas are a large, oval fruit that weighs 3 or more pounds, with green skins that turn yellow when the fruit is ripe. The flesh inside the fruit is salmon-colored.
CDC recommends that consumers not eat, restaurants not serve, and retailers not sell yellow Maradol papayas until we learn more.
- If you aren’t sure if the papaya you bought is a yellow Maradol papaya, you can ask the place of purchase. Restaurants and retailers can ask their supplier.
- When in doubt, don’t eat, sell, or serve them and throw them out.
- Wash and sanitize countertops as well as drawers or shelves in refrigerators where papayas were stored.
Contact a healthcare provider if you think you got sick from eating contaminated papaya.
- Most people infected with Salmonella develop the following signs and symptoms 12-72 hours after being exposed to the bacteria:
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Abdominal cramps