Salmonella outbreak linked to papayas

A salmonella outbreak possibly linked to papayas grown in Mexico has sickened 17 people in Illinois including residents of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Will and Winnebago counties, according to the Department of Public Health.

Eight of those have been hospitalized.

In total, the outbreak has infected 97 people across 23 states between Jan. 1 and July 18.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers not to eat papayas from Agromod Produce Inc., which is voluntarily recalling the product after tests found the outbreak strain in two samples.

The company says the Blondie, Yaya, Mananita and Tastylicious brand papayas sold prior to July 23 are being recalled. Anyone with fresh papayas is urged to check the fruit's stickers, and either return the product or throw it away, according to the FDA.

Salmonella can have serious health risks for the elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems, according to the Department of Public Health.

Symptoms usually appear six to 72 hours after ingesting the bacteria, and include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

The FDA is urging anyone that has any of these symptoms and has eaten papayas to seek medical help.