2011 Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Agona Infections Linked to Agromod Produce Papayas

In 2011 local, state and federal public health and agriculture agencies investigated an outbreak of Salmonella Agona infections linked to whole, fresh papayas imported from Mexico. A total of 106 individuals infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Agona were reported from 25 states. Illness onset dates ranged from January 1, 2011 to August 25, 2011. Ten patients were hospitalized. No one died.

Epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory investigations linked this outbreak to papayas imported from Mexico by Agromod Produce, Inc. of McAllen, Texas. Sampling of papayas by the FDA identified two samples with Salmonella Agona that were indistinguishable by PFGE from the outbreak strain.

Tags:

salmonellosis, salmonella+agona, papayas, agromod, fruit

Overview

Outbreak began:	January 2011
Affected country:	US
States/territories:	AZ, AR, CA, CO, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MN, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI
Pathogen:	Salmonella Agona
Vehicle(s):	Papaya
Location(s):	Private Home
Brand name(s):	4395 Tastylicious MEXICO, Blondie, Blondie 4395 Mexico, Mañanita, Mexico Mañanita 4395, Tastylicious, Yaya, Yaya Premium Papayas Yaya PLU-4395 Mexico, Central Market, Garden Highway
Molecular test results:	yes

Health impact

Total ill:	106
Number hospitalized:	10

Sources & documents

Recall notices	View recall notice (fda.gov) View recall notice (agromodproduce.com) View recall notice (fda.gov) View recall notice (fda.gov) View recall notice (accessdata.fda.gov)
Report / reference links	View report (cdc.gov) View report (cdc.gov)
Outbreak documents	2011_Papayas _CDC_Final_Update _August_29 _2011 2011 Multistate Outbreak of Salmonellosis Linked to Papayas MN DOH Summary