Houston cancer patient had salmonella

Published: June 10, 2008 at 4:40 PM

HOUSTON, June 10 (UPI) -- The recent death of a Houston cancer patient may have been hastened by salmonella contracted when he ate tomatoes at a celebratory meal.

A spokeswoman for the Houston Health Department said that lymphoma is listed as the cause of 67-year-old Raul Rivera's death, the Houston Chronicle reported Tuesday. But she said that salmonella infection has been confirmed and that it was a contributing factor.

At least 167 people in the 17 states have contracted salmonella recently through eating tomatoes since April 16. Rivera's death is the first linked to the outbreak.

A number of restaurant chains, including McDonald's, Burger King and Taco Bell, have taken tomatoes off the menu. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has advised that plum, Roma and round red tomatoes may be infected.

Barbara Rivera, the dead man's wife, said that four other relatives became sick. The family was eating out because Rivera had received good news about his treatment.

Salmonella is especially dangerous to people with suppressed immune systems.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
NBA: Utah 95, New York 93 (9 min)
Substance may help prevent spinal injury (17 min)
Yzerman, four others join Hall of Fame (20 min)
NBA: Phoenix 119, Philadelphia 115 (24 min)
COL BKB: No. Carolina 88, Florida Int'l 72 (59 min)
COL BKB: Ohio State 100, Alcorn State 60
Series hero Matsui files for free agency
fark
"Liquor Store Clerk Held Up by Screwdriver." No word on what the screwdriver used for a weapon
Slideshow of famous people who've had swine flu. Now hopefully the sickness will get the media attention...
Photoshop this shovelful of dirt
The federal government is willing to pay up to $66,542 plus living benefits if you don't mind mushing...
"The bullet zipped over fields and pasture from the south as Long's car traveled west from her aunt's...
Sometimes there are signs that you've chosen the wrong profession. Bus driver, on his first day...