Salmonella Outbreak's Victims Rise To 943

U.S. Says Tomatoes Remain Leading Suspect In Illnesses Which Have Hospitalized At Least 130

(AP)  The U.S. government on Saturday announced an increase in the number of people reported being sickened in a record salmonella outbreak in which tomatoes are the leading suspect although investigators are testing other types of fresh produce.

There have been 943 reported cases across the United States, with at least 130 hospitalizations since mid-April after the first salmonella illnesses appeared, the Food and Drug Administration said Saturday.

That compares with a total of 922 people about two days ago and 869 reported earlier in the past week.

On Tuesday, the government it would test numerous other kinds of fresh produce while insisting that tomatoes remained the leading culprit. Investigators have kept quiet about exactly what other vegetables are getting tracked but said they are looking at items commonly served with fresh tomatoes.

Investigators with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have interviewed people sickened in June to find out what they ate and to compare their diets with those of healthy relatives and neighbors. Officials so far have not revealed early findings, except to say they supported the investigation's new move.

Among the possibilities FDA has said it was exploring is whether tomatoes and other produce are sharing a common packing or shipping site where both might become contaminated, or whether multiple foods might be tainted while being grown on adjoining farms or with common water sources.


For the latest government information on the salmonella outbreak visit the Web site of the Food and Drug Administration.

[lloydbest1]

It has gotten to the point that everything that goes "poof" is Bush''s fault. Or Cheney''s. Or Rove''s. Or some other neo-con standard bearer.

I''m sorry, but I don''t have a lick of sympathy for any of ''em.

The last 8 years has been a nightmare of Lovecroftian proportions: Crumbling infrastructure, an environment in shambles, an obstructionist attitude to any sensible climate policy, theocratic hegemony, secret prisons and wiretapping, a 1.2 Trillion dollar a year war expense, crippling socialistic giveaways to those least in need of them and opportunistic fearmongering are just a few of the multitude of indicators that tell me this administration''s deadly combination of faulty ideology, incompetence and treachery rank it as the worst in American history and one of the worst examples of leadership the planet has ever seen since the evolution of nation states.
Why not believe some sociopath in Bush''s inner circle planned this operation and directed it? Why not believe the salmonella outbreak was an administration plot to whip up fear just prior to the elections? Something like this is easily enough done...Just ask anyone who lived in The Dalles, OR during the mid-late 80''s. Ask Ma Anand Sheela who poisoned the local Denny''s with (you guessed it) Salmonella.

Personally, I don''t think it is likely Bush is involved but I do think he and his lot are capable of ANYthing.

[sistatee-2009]

To save money on toilet paper, Mexicans are wiping with tomatoes. Enjoy the flavor.

[sociald63]

i''m victim #944 ... had it with my burger ... well, gotta go back to the bathroom :(

[sociald63]

to sbmm: i agree..these losers always blame the gov''t for everything. these crackers need to go back home to thier mama''s garage

[nssherlock1]

Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes

[hungryman9]

We have to blame it on someone. Cheney, Bush, Obama, Hillary, Rush or someone, just put the blame on someone.

[element51]

While it does seen odd that we are suddenly facing a health crisis over tomatoes I am not really surprised. So much of the produce we eat is imported from other countries that have no controls at all. Even produce grown here is suspect as it is entirely possible that there is a hog or cattle operation next to a produce farm and the water runoff is contaminated with fecal material. I do not believe that this mystery will be solved as there are far to many possibilities and far to few inspectors. I guess it comes down to, are you willing to take a chance? If we let fear rule us then we are most certainly lost. I intend to continue to eat as I always have and hope for the best.

[whiskyrocker]

Stuff didn''t do $hit to me.

[nirak2-2009]

Another Scare tactic by the Government? I think so!!!!
We in Canada eat most of the same stuff you people do and we had no outbreak of Salmonella.

[sidvicious75]

Don''t tell me its another pissed off white dude.

[txlakeside]

I agree .... Impeach Bush and Cheney and then convict them for War Crimes for going against the Rules of the Geneva Convention. McCain claimed to be tortured so why has he not demanded the current Admin be prosecuted?

The FDA and FEMA need to be washed clean and start again! They are suppose to protect the population but they only seem to protect the business machine!

The Repubs are very scared of the upcoming election!

[samsel3]

This is a rare strain of salmonella. The election is coming and the war machine wants to put people in fear again just like the Anthrax scare.

The answer to the Anthrax mystery lies with Bush, Cheney and the CIA strategists who wanted to drum up support for the invasion and regime change of seven countries. Putting the American people in fear of terrorism for their dirty game on the world stage was a disgusting choice.

Using a genetically fingerprinted US Army military grade Anthrax was not very smart. They never thought anyone would research the materials genetic fingerprint.

Money, power, greed for gain, they all need to be indicted for crimes against humanity in the World Court where justice will be served for all.