Yesterday the CDC announced that a total of 103 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Braenderup have been reported from 16 states. The majority of ill persons (78) have been reported from California. This number may change as more cases are confirmed. Most persons became ill during July. Among persons for whom information is available, illness onset dates range from July 3, 2012 to August 11, 2012. Ill persons range in age from 1 to 86 years, with a median age of 32 years old. Fifty-five percent of ill persons are female. Among 69 persons with available information, 25 (36%) patients reported being hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

But, we have seen this before – Past Mango Problems:

Brazilian Mangoes 1999:  A nationwide outbreak of a single strain of Salmonella Newport sickened 78 and was associated with the consumption of imported mangoes. The implicated mangoes were traced back to a single Brazilian farm. Salmonella and E. coli were isolated from water and other environmental samples of the farm. Water treatment was identified as a possible source of contamination. The mangoes destined for the US market were dipped in hot water, then cool water, a procedure that may have caused Salmonella on the surface of the fruit to be drawn inside. The hot dip water was not chlorinated. The cool dip water was chlorinated once a week; chlorine levels were not monitored. The mangoes were coated in wax mixed with chlorinated water. The farm also shipped mangoes to Europe. These mangoes did not receive the same hot/cold water bath treatment; the mangoes did not lead to illness in Europe.

Mangoes 2001:  A multistate outbreak, with 26 ill, of Salmonella was associated with the consumption of fresh mangoes. The Salmonella Saintpaul isolates were genetically the same. In processing the mangoes for the US market, the mangoes were given a water treatment that was not likely to be chlorinated adequately. Some of the mangoes originated in Peru. A Salmonella outbreak in 1999 related to mangoes resulted in the USDA recommending chlorination for water treatment of mangoes. Unfortunately these recommendations were not published until 2002 after this outbreak had occurred.