A multistate outbreak of Salmonella Poona that began in mid-2015 has continued to affect people this year, according to today's update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The agency reported that since the last update in November, 50 more ill people have been reported from 16 states, with one case in Tennessee taking the total number of states to 39.

The CDC said whole genome sequencing (WGS) showed strains of Salmonella from ill people and from contaminated cucumbers distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce were closely related genetically.

Last year, the company recalled the product and made a donation to non-profit organization STOP Foodborne Illness.

"The source of contamination for the cucumbers distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce has not been identified," the CDC said in today's update.

"The number of reported illnesses has declined substantially since the peak of illnesses in August and September; however, it has not returned to the number of reported illnesses that we would expect to see (about 1 every month this time of year).

"The investigation into the source of these recent illnesses is ongoing."

After the recent update, the total number of people ill from the outbreak has reached 888.

The CDC said two additional deaths were reported from California, bringing the total number of deaths to six, however the California Department of Public Health said salmonella infections were not considered to be a contributing factor to either of these cases.

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