Most Active Stories Shots - Health Blog Fri September 30, 2011
Death Toll Rises To 15 In Listeria Cantaloupe Outbreak Illnesses
linked to tainted cantaloupes continue to mount. Updated figures
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 84
people in 19 states have been sickened by listeria bacteria from
an outbreak linked to cantaloupes, and 15 have died. Even with
melons off store shelves, more illnesses and deaths are likely.
That's mainly because listeriosis illness has a long incubation
period (up to 70 days) and it takes time to confirm reports of
sickness. And listeria can grow well even in the cold, meaning
it can colonize refrigerators, too. The CDC says people
shouldn't eat cantaloupes from Jensen Farms — especially older
people, pregnant women and people with weak immune systems. Not
every recalled cantaloupe is labeled Jensen Farms, so check with
the seller. If you're unsure or can't find out, throw the
cantaloupe out, CDC says. For the longform on the story so far,
see CDC's repo