Deadly Multi-State Salmonella Outbreak Traced Back To Mexican Papayas

If you’ve purchased some fresh papayas recently, you may want to consider throwing them out ASAP.

A massive multi-state outbreak has begun that’s been linked back to fresh Maradol papayas. So far, 47 people across a dozen different states have fallen ill, with twelve victims being hospitalized and one person in New York City dying due to the Salmonella, according to statements posted by the FDA, CDC, and Maryland Department of Health.

At least two different strains of Salmonella have been identified so far in this outbreak, both of which cause symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and fever. Symptoms can begin anywhere between six and 72 hours after being exposed to the pathogen, with young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems more likely to suffer severe infections.

No recalls have yet to be issued, as the FDA and CDC are both still looking into exactly how many brands and cultivars of papaya have been affected by this outbreak. For now, they are confident in saying we should all avoid consuming Maradol papayas, especially those from the brand Caribeña. More information about which papayas are safe or not will come as the investigations continue.

If you’re not entirely sure if a papaya you purchased is of the Maradol variety, ask the establishment you bought it from. When in doubt, throw it out and be sure to sanitize anywhere the papayas were placed.