A Salmonella outbreak has now been reported to have impacted at least one person in Maine, according to WABI. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported this on Wednesday. So far, the Salmonella outbreak has affected 162 people in the United States and led to 54 hospitalizations, as per the report.

Maine is now officially one of the states that has been hit, but the ones hit hardest are Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida. The widespread outbreak is raising public health concerns and making citizens very nervous. Because of this, health authorities have responded quickly.

What’s the source?

According to the CDC, they were able to able to trace the source to cucumbers, one of Maine’s most beloved veggies. The cucumbers were distributed by Fresh Start Produce from Florida. The company did put forth a recall of whole cucumbers after the testing detected they were contaminated.

What's the impact?

According to the Mayo Clinic, some people with Salmonella don't have any symptoms at all. Most people get diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps within eight to 72 hours after they have been exposed. Healthy people usually get better within a few days to a week without special treatment.

Sometimes, diarrhea can cause bad dehydration, which needs quick medical care. If the infection spreads further than your intestines, it can lead to serious, life-threatening complications. This is even worse for those who have weak immune systems.

Now that it's affected a Mainer, it hits home, and makes you think a little extra hard about what you are putting into your body. The Salmonella outbreak is a scary reminder of the importance of safety in foods, especially produce.

With the ongoing push to control the source of the infection, authorities are working on lowering any further impact to protect public health.