Deadly salmonella outbreak linked to papayas sickens another 64 people

One person died and 46 others in 12 states contracted salmonella linked to yellow Maradol papayas, the CDC said Friday. (CDC) (Evgeniy Ivanov)

A deadly salmonella outbreak linked to papayas imported from Mexico sickened an additional 64 people and expanded to 16 U.S. states, federal health officials reported on Friday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the source of the salmonella outbreak was traced back to Caribena brand papayas from the Carica de Campeche farm. In July, at least one New York City resident died. Another 35 people were hospitalized with salmonella as of Friday.

"When in doubt, don’t eat, sell, or serve them and throw them out," the CDC said.

People were first sickened after eating the fruit beginning on May 17, according to the CDC. The people infected were between ages less than 1 to 95.

Health officials tested the fruit found in the Mexican farm and identified five strands of salmonella that sickened at least 109 people.

"The agency is working to identify other brands of papayas that may have originated from Carica de Campeche and facilitate recalls," the CDC reported.

A recall was already issued on July 26 for papayas distributed by Grande Produce. The fruit was sold in U.S. markets between July 10 and July 19. The FDA plans to test more papayas imported from Mexico to identify other possible farms with contaminated fruit.