Death Toll Rising in Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak

Health officials report that 13 people across eight states have died after eating cantaloupe contaminated with listeria. 72 people in 18 states have been reported ill, with the listeria-tainted cantaloupe apparently tied to a Colorado farm.

The FDA released remarks about the Whole Cantaloupe Recalls by Jensen Farms, and also included important consumer precautionary measures on food handling. Jensen Farms voluntarily recalled its whole cantaloupes back on September 14th in response to the multi-state outbreak of listeriosis. The recalled cantaloupes were shipped from July 29 through September 10, 2011 to the following states:

Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

NPR makes an interesting note of the unusualness appropriating in fruit, normally linked to dairy and deli meats.

A press conference held by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Thomas Frieden mentioned that they “do anticipate a rising number of cases in days and weeks to come,” marking this cantaloupe-listeria outbreak as the deadliest in over a decade.

According to the FDA, listeria Infections can cause septicemia, meningitis (or meningoencephalitis), encephalitis, as well as intrauterine or cervical infections in pregnant women, which may result in spontaneous abortion or stillbirth. Before these illnesses show up, people report flu-like symptoms or upset stomach symptoms, like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The target populations for listeriosis are pregnant women/fetus, cancer patients, and the elderly, to name a few.

While the CDC maintains their notion of “when in doubt, throw it out,” they preface their highlights on the outbreak by assuring the public that cantaloupes that are known to NOT have come from Jensen Farms are indeed safe to eat. If consumers are uncertain about the source of a cantaloupe for purchase, they should ask the grocery store.

Officials are investigating potential environmental sources for the outbreak, and later today, the FDA and the CDC will hold a joint press conference to update the public on the status of this cantaloupe investigation.