Federal health officials say at least 45 people in 18 states have been sickened in an expanding salmonella outbreak tied to recalled cucumbers. The cucumbers were produced by Florida-based Bedner Growers and distributed to restaurants, hospitals, cruise ships and grocery stores. Health authorities said Friday at least 16 people have been hospitalized to date. The outbreak includes reports of illness from people aboard six different cruise ships that departed from Florida ports between late March and mid-April. The outbreak was detected as part of a follow-up inspection to a 2024 outbreak linked to the same company.

Americans planning cruise ship vacations may have new concerns this spring and summer. Recent cuts to the U.S. Health and Human Services Department targeted some staff at the program that inspects cruise ships and investigates illness outbreaks. The cuts come as a new strain of norovirus has been fueling more outbreaks on ships. Four top staff at the Vessel Sanitation Program, operated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were fired. Remaining staff include 12 U.S. Public Health Service commissioned officers.