US salmonella outbreak kills one, hundreds sick

Washington: A salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers grown in Mexico has killed one person and sickened hundreds in the US, a media report said on Saturday.

The outbreak of salmonella poona has been reported in 27 states since July, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, CNN reported.

Of the 285 people sickened, more than half have been children younger than 18. The fatality occurred in California.

Arizona is among the hardest-hit. State authorities said it has identified 66 cases in six counties this week. Health officials reassured residents that the food produced in the state is not at risk.

Salmonella poona causes the same symptoms as the regular subtype of the ailment, including nausea, diarrhea and abdominal cramping. 

Infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are especially vulnerable.