Salmonella Outbreak in the USA - linked to Coconut Products

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an outbreak of Salmonella typhimurium linked to eating dried coconut products. As of 20 March 2018, 13 cases have been reported from 8 states.

CDC advises people not to eat recalled items which are listed on the page link supplied above.

Advice for travellers

In addition to specific advice about the coconut products listed by CDC, general food hygiene advice is approriate.

• If using street vendors, where possible, food should be chosen that is freshly cooked to a high temperature and served immediately while still hot.
• Milk should be boiled unless it has been pasteurised.
• Cheeses and ice cream are often made from unpasteurised milk and when in doubt these should only be bought from larger well established companies when quality can usually be assured.
• Meat should be thoroughly cooked and eaten hot whenever possible. Leftovers and reheated meat should be avoided.
• Fish and shellfish can be hazardous even if well cooked. Local advice about seafood should be sought, but when in doubt it is best avoided.
• Vegetables should only be eaten when thoroughly cooked.
• Salads and fresh herbs (including in drinks) should be avoided.
• Fruit should be peeled, including tomatoes. Berries, in particular raspberries, maybe a source of Cyclospora infection. They are difficult to wash and best avoided.

For further information see Salmonellosis.