Salmonella Case Confirmed In El Paso

By Darren Hunt

EL PASO, Texas – The El Paso Department of Public Health has confirmed the first case of salmonella in El Paso County, which was likely caused by tomato consumption.

Officials said the patient is a 53-year-old woman.

“She’s fine,” said Dr. Bobby Jones, deputy director of the Department of Public Health. “Her symptoms were very mild. She had abdominal symptoms, went to the doctor with it, they took the specimen and sent it to our laboratory here, which identified it as being salmonella.”

In Dona Ana County, there have been 11 cases of Salmonella this year, health officials said. In the whole state of New Mexico, there have been 87 cases that affected 19 out of 33 counties.

Public health officials are recommending consumers limit their tomato consumption to cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold on the vine or home grown tomatoes.

“If you’re eating raw tomatoes or using them in salads or pico de gallo or whatever else, be sure you wash them well before you consume them,” Jones said.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as of June 25th, there have been 652 reported cases of Salmonellosis nationwide caused by Salmonella Saintpaul. That is an uncommon form of Salmonella that has been link to tomatoes.

For more information on the tomato-related salmonella outbreak, click here.