Cucumbers Suspected in Deadly Salmonella Outbreak

Salmonella-tainted cucumbers are believed to be responsible for killing a 99-year-old San Diego woman and sickening 285 other people across 27 states over the past two months. Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce of San Diego yesterday voluntarily recalled its "Limited Edition" brand garden cucumbers, which were grown in Mexico. Health officials say the cucumbers are the likely cause of hundreds of illnesses since July 3 and the Aug. 17 death of the San Diego woman. Half the people who became ill are under 18 years of age.

The cucumbers were distributed in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah. Residents in other states, including Washington, also have been sickened. Arizona has the largest number of reported cases with 66. (More salmonella stories.)