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CDC, FDA, and public health and regulatory officials in several states are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg infections linked to onions.
Epidemiologic and traceback data show that illnesses in this outbreak are linked to whole red, white, and yellow onions distributed by ProSource Inc. that were imported from Chihuahua, Mexico. Investigators are working to determine if other onions or suppliers are linked to this outbreak.
Epidemiologic Data
As of October 18, 2021, 652 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Oranienburg have been reported from 37 states (see map). Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 31, 2021, to September 30, 2021 (see timeline).
Sick people range in age from less than 1 year to 97 years, with a median age of 37, and 57% are female. Of 417 people with information available, 129 (31%) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Laboratory and Traceback Data
FDA conducted a traceback investigation and identified ProSource Inc. as a common supplier of imported onions to many of the restaurants where sick people ate. One of these clusters occurred in a restaurant where investigators identified the outbreak strain of Salmonella Oranienburg in a condiment container with leftover lime and cilantro. The sick person reported that the condiment cup had also contained onions, although none were left when the condiment was tested. FDA is working to determine if other suppliers of onions may be linked to this outbreak or if there is a common supplier of onions in Chihuahua, Mexico.
Public Health Actions
CDC and FDA recommend that you not eat, sell, or serve fresh whole red, white, or yellow onions distributed by ProSource Inc. that were imported from Chihuahua, Mexico.
SOURCE: CDC
