The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned this Wednesday about clumps of onions that are linked to an outbreak of salmonella, a bacterium that can be found in various foods and causes an infection.
More than 650 people in various states have become ill as of Wednesday night from this contaminated vegetable, the CDC reported.
A total of 129 had to be hospitalized.
The onions affected by this bacteria are whole red, white and yellow ones
imported from Chihuahua, Mexico, and distributed by ProSource Inc.
They may have stickers or packaging with the name of the brand, ProSource Inc., and from Mexico, where they were grown.
The group of onions affected are white, red and gold in color, according to the CDC's Oct. 20 alert.
CDC
This product
is sold to restaurants and supermarkets and grocery stores throughout the United States
.
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ProSource reported that the onions were last imported on August 27.
However, they can last up to three months in storage, so it is feared that they may still be in home kitchens and in businesses.
Investigators are also looking to see if there are other onions and suppliers related to the outbreak.
What to do if you find contaminated onions?
In case of not being able to determine the origin of the onions at home and in stores, specialists recommend throwing them away.
They should not be sold or used to prepare food.
The CDC also advises
washing surfaces and containers
that the onions may have come in contact with with hot water and detergent or in a dishwasher.
Stores and restaurants are also instructed to check storage coolers.
What are the symptoms of salmonella?
Symptoms usually begin 6 hours to 6 days after infection.
They include diarrhea that may be bloody, fever, and stomach cramps.
Most people recover in 4 to 7 days without antibiotic treatment.
The CDC recommends contacting your healthcare provider for
severe symptoms
: diarrhea and fever over 102 ° F, diarrhea for more than 3 days that does not improve or is bloody, severe vomiting and inability to keep fluids down, and signs of dehydration ( not urinating much, dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up).
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In most cases,
recovery takes between four to seven days
without the need for medical assistance.
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However, some people in
risk groups
may suffer more serious illnesses that require medical assistance or hospitalization, such as children under 5 years old, adults over 65 years old, and people with weakened immune systems.