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Salmonella cases linked to fresh peaches sold in Minnesota

State agricultural officials say at least 23 Minnesotans have been sickened during the outbreak.
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ST PAUL, Minn. — Fresh peaches sold at a number of popular retailers have been linked to an outbreak of salmonella that has sickened nearly two dozen people in Minnesota, according to state health and agricultural officials. 

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) are investigating the multi-state outbreak, along with federal officials. It involves whole, fresh peaches supplied by Wawona Packing Company and purchased at retail locations including Aldi and Target. 

Twenty-three Minnesotans have been identified as part of this outbreak, with a median age of 28 years (the range of those sickened is 3 to 92 years). The patients became ill between July 12 and Aug. 3, with six being hospitalized . State officials say all have recovered.

Overall, 68 cases of salmonella have been identified in nine states. Investigators stress that the investigation is ongoing, and more victims may be detected.

Health officials recommend throwing out or returning fresh, whole peaches supplied by Wawona Packing Company. Do not eat them. Other peaches (including frozen or canned peaches) are not known to be affected. Fresh peaches supplied by other companies are also not known to be affected. 

Consumers who are unsure whether the peaches they bought are supplied by Wawona, they should contact the retailer where they were purchased. If there is doubt about where their peaches came from, health officials say they should be thrown away.

Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. Symptoms usually begin within 12 to 96 hours after exposure, but that time frame can be as a long as two weeks. 

Infections usually clear in five to seven days, but state health officials say about 28% of laboratory-confirmed cases require hospitalization.

MDH says between 700 and 975 salmonella infections are reported each year in Minnesota. 

For more information on salmonella and how to prevent it, check out the MDH website.

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