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List of Central Texas salmonella cases grows
Two more Central Texas Counties have been added to the list of those where residents have contracted the Saintpaul strain of salmonella — possibly tied to raw tomatoes in several states, Texas health officials said today.
Seven cases of the illness reported in Bell County and one in Bosque County, join the list of counties with cases confirmed since Mid-April. Earlier this week, Waco-McLennan County Public Health District officials said one case had been confirmed in McLennan County.
The bacterial infection, which causes fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps can be fatal, although of the 356 cases reported in Texas, no deaths have been reported due to the outbreak.
Federal authorities continue to search for the outbreak’s cause, months after the first case surfaced in April.
The widening outbreak means whatever is making people sick could very well still be on the market, federal health officials have warned Friday.
Tomatoes remain the top suspect, and the advice on which ones consumers should avoid has not changed, stressed Food and Drug Administration food safety chief Dr. David Acheson.
However, he said it is possible that tomatoes being harvested in states considered safe could be picking up salmonella germs in packing sheds, warehouses or other facilities under investigation.
Roma and salad tomatoes recently have been found to carry the strain, and many stores and restaurants in Waco have pulled those items from their shelves and menus.
The U.S. Food and Drug administration has said grape and cherry tomatoes, as well as those still on the vine or grown at home, have not been found to be contaminated.
Salmonella can be killed by cooking tomatoes at 145 degrees, the state health officials have said.
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By Fred
July 4, 2008 4:20 AM | Link to this
Salmonella in Waco? Don’t drink Waco’s water.