Government: Number Of Salmonella Cases Jumps To 228

EL PASO, Texas – The toll from salmonella-tainted tomatoes has jumped to 228 illnesses. The government has learned of five dozen previously unknown cases.

Six states that had escaped the outbreak so far have been added to the list – Florida, Georgia, Missouri, New York, Tennessee and Vermont – bringing the number of affected states to 23.

The Food and Drug Administration still hasn’t pinpointed the source of the outbreak. And with the latest known illness striking on June 1, officials also aren’t sure if all the tainted tomatoes are off the market.

The government also said the outbreak was linked to the death of a caner patient in Texas.

At this time, the City of El Paso Department of Public Health is recommending consumers limit their tomato consumption to cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, and tomatoes grown at home.

Consumers should be aware that raw tomatoes are often used in the preparation of fresh salsa, guacamole, and pico de gallo, are part of fillings for tortillas, and are used in many other dishes. People who want to reduce their risk of Salmonella infection avoid eating raw Roma or full-sized round tomatoes other than those sold attached to the vine or grown at home.

Cases should be reported to the City of El Paso Department of Public Health at 771-5810.

For more information on the breakout, click here.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.