The Oregon Health Authority Friday said there have been 76 cases of salmonella in Oregon linked to a larger, nationwide outbreak.
According to the agency, the outbreak has been tied to red onions, specifically from Thomson International Inc. of Bakersfield, California.
Of those who have gotten sick in Oregon, nearly 20 people have been hospitalized, OHA said in a news release. The agency said none have died.
More than 400 people in about 40 states, as well as in parts of Canada, have been sickened in the outbreak, OHA said. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Oregon has identified the most salmonella cases connected to the outbreak.
Oregon health officials are urging people to contact a health care provider if they believe they have gotten sick after eating red onions.
“If you have any of these potentially contaminated onions, discard them and wash your hands afterwards,” Dr. Emilio DeBess, an epidemiologist at the Oregon Public Health Division Acute and Communicable Disease Prevention Section, said in a statement.
Although the outbreak has been linked to red onions, Thomson International, Inc. said it will be recalling all varieties of onions that may have been cross-contaminated.
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