An outbreak of Salmonella, connected to a national recall of cucumbers, has affected approximately 40 members of the Weston County community, including some students at Newcastle Elementary School, Marler Clark reports.
The outbreak was confirmed on December 2 by the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH), which has linked the local cases to a broader, interstate outbreak identified by federal health officials.
According to Kim Deti, WDH public information officer, two confirmed cases of Salmonella related to the national outbreak have been identified in Wyoming. However, additional cases are suspected, as not all affected individuals have been tested.
“We would expect more confirmed cases over time,” Deti noted.
She added that some people likely recovered without seeking medical care or undergoing testing.
Deti further explained that the outbreak at Newcastle Elementary is considered a subcluster of the larger, multi-state outbreak reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC reported on November 29 that 68 cases of Salmonella linked to cucumbers had been identified across 19 states as of November 26. This includes 16 cases in Montana, eight in Colorado, and four in South Dakota. Two cases have been confirmed in Wyoming, with additional infections expected to emerge as more testing and reporting occur.
According to the CDC, many individuals affected by such outbreaks recover without medical attention, leading to an undercount of actual cases. Salmonella infections typically result in symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Hospitalizations have been required for 18 of the 50 documented cases in this outbreak, but no deaths have been reported.
The outbreak prompted a recall of cucumbers by SunFed Produce on November 29. The recall applies to fresh American/slicer cucumbers grown in Sonora, Mexico, by Agrotato, S.A. de C.V., and sold between October 12 and November 26. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is continuing its investigation and working with other importers who received cucumbers from the same supplier.
In an email to Newcastle Elementary Principal Brandy Holmes, shared with the News Letter Journal, state investigators confirmed that the suspected cucumbers were part of the federal recall.
The WDH is continuing to monitor the situation and encourages anyone experiencing symptoms of Salmonella infection to seek medical advice. Infections can range from mild to severe, with young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems being at higher risk for complications.
Health officials emphasize the importance of food safety measures, such as washing fresh produce and practicing good hygiene, to help prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses.
