Salmonella That Sickened 23 Minnesotans Linked To Onions: CDC

MINNEAPOLIS — A salmonella outbreak that affected over 600 Americans — including 23 Minnesotans — has been linked to onions, the Centers for Disease Control announced Wednesday.

People shouldn't eat red, white, and yellow onions imported from Chihuahua, Mexico, and distributed by ProSource Inc., federal officials said. Businesses that have the onions in stock are asked not to sell them and throw onions away if they can't tell where they are from.

If the onions have touched any surfaces or containers, people should wash them with hot, soapy water, federal health officials said.

"If you can't tell where the onions are from, don't buy or eat them," the agency said.
ProSource Inc. told federal officials that onions were last imported on August 27. But imported onions can last up to three months in storage and may still be in homes and businesses.

Some 652 people across 37 states were infected with salmonella, federal officials said Wednesday. There have been 129 hospitalizations due to the outbreak.

The CDC says to call your doctor if you experience salmonella symptoms, including the following:

• A fever higher than 102 degrees.
• Diarrhea, including bloody diarrhea or diarrhea that has continued for more than three days.
• Vomiting.
• Signs of dehydration, such as not urinating, dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up.

Most people infected with salmonella experience diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps within six hours to six days of eating contaminated food.