New Jersey reports 3 more cases of salmonella

updated 4:46 p.m. ET June 24, 2008

TRENTON, N.J. - Health officials have confirmed three more cases of New Jersey residents infected with salmonella linked to tainted tomatoes.

The three new cases, reported Tuesday, come days after the state Department of Health and Senior Services reported the first New Jersey case linked to an outbreak that has sickened more than 500 people nationwide.

Officials said the four people — a 7-year-old from Monmouth County, a 2-year-old from Bergen County, and two women, 34 and 41, from Camden County — got sick from May 23 to June 3.

Salmonella causes diarrhea and abdominal pain. Most people recover within a week without treatment.

The Bergen County boy has recovered and the women are not hospitalized. State health officials didn't immediately release information about the status of the Monmouth County boy.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has linked the outbreak to consumption of some raw red plum, red Roma, round red tomatoes, and products containing these raw tomatoes.

State officials have begun random inspections of wholesale produce processors and distributors to check the source of tomatoes shipped into New Jersey. They're also looking at companies' record-keeping practices and handling procedures.

New Jersey tomatoes have been cleared. This year's crop will begin to be harvested next week, according to Agriculture Secretary Charles M. Kuperus.

MORE FROM INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Infectious diseases Section Front

Tainted meats point to superbug C. diff in food New mad cow case found in Canada Brazilian boy makes rare recovery from rabies Nasty gut bug spikes in U.S. hospitals Large malaria vaccine trial to start in Africa Hospitals use more antibiotics despite concerns Half of hardest-to-treat TB patients die CDC: Pet food sickened at least 79 people ‘Good’ germs may fight bad ones in hospital Antibiotic may plug up Montezuma’s Revenge Infectious diseases Section Front   Add Infectious diseases headlines to your news reader: