Dirty Tomatoes Likely Source of Salmonella
Sante Fe -- There has been a cluster outbreak of Salmonella that has sickened more than 30 people according to the state health department. The source is believed to be from uncooked tomatoes purchased from Wal-Mart in Farmington or Las Cruces, Lowes's Marketplace in Las Cruces or Basha's in Crownpoint since May 3.
There have been 36 patients in nine counties according to Deborah Busmeyer the New Mexico Department of Health spokeswoman. Six came from San Juan County.
The Federal Department of Agriculture and the department are working with the state Environmental Department to trace back the source of dirty tomatoes.
According to Busmeyer, the environment department bought tomatoes at many stores across the state in a wide sweep.
The bacteria is Salmonella St. Paul that is causing the patients' sicknesses. So far, no one has died.
The Health Secretary, Dr. Alfredo Vigil said that the department has determined that eating uncooked tomatoes has been the likely source of the outbreak. They hope to provide more information about the type of tomatoes as the investigation proceeds.
