Salmonella infections climb to 431 cases across multiple states: CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Wednesday that the salmonella outbreak linked to consumption of certain kinds of jalapeno peppers has grown to 431 cases across 32 states.

The number includes 57 hospitalizations and no reported deaths as of Wednesday. It is up from 345 cases in 27 states reported in early August. The CDC estimates the number could be higher as many people recover from salmonella without receiving medical care or being tested.

The outbreak is believed to have begun between June 19 and Aug. 2 in Sinaloa, Mexico, and traceback data from the CDC suggests the contaminated product was distributed by Coast Citrus Distributors.

Salmonella is a common foodborne illness with symptoms that can include ​diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. The CDC estimates this can start between six hours and six days after infection and can last four to seven days.

The states with the highest concentration of cases are Minnesota and Colorado, which account for more than 50 percent of the cases reported.

State and local health officials found 91 percent of the individuals who were interviewed ate at a Mexican-style restaurant including Chipotle Mexican Grill and Qdoba . Chipotle switched its supplier while Qdoba stopped serving jalapeno peppers altogether.

Whole Foods was the latest company to issue a recall on Aug. 12 for products that include the peppers such as guacamole, pico de gallo, salsa and condiments. NatureBest and HEB salsas, soup mix and other products were also voluntarily recalled on Aug. 8.

Taylor Farms previously issued its own recall for the produce, and officials are still investigating the company for potential links to the ongoing cyclospora outbreak. The Food and Drug Administration reports seven active investigations into cyclospora outbreaks, with nearly 15,000 cases of domestically acquired cyclosporiasis confirmed in the U.S. since May this year.

The CDC ⁠estimates ​salmonella causes around 1.35 ​million infections in the United States every year.