By Associated Press
Montgomery, AL – The number of people who've been sickened by salmonella-contaminated food is growing nationwide but Alabama officials say the state has only had two reported cases.
Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Charles Woernle said officials are investigating another case to see if the germ involved is the same that has sickened 1,065 people.
The two Alabamians who were sick contracted the while they were traveling out-of-state.
The outbreak has lasted an unusually long time, with the first person getting sick on April 10 and the latest so far becoming ill on June 26.
Federal health officials have traced some of the problem to tomatoes but are now also looking at jalapeno peppers and fresh cilantro as possible culprits.
Woernle said consumers should always make sure they wash fresh produce properly and said locally grown produce shouldn't be hazardous.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)