Listeriosis is a bacterial infection that is caused when people eat foods that are contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recent multi state outbreak in the United States has been linked to cantaloupes from Jensen Farms in Colorado.

To date, 109 people have been infected with Listeria and 21 people have died. According to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), one woman who was sickened by Listeria had a miscarriage. The majority of the people who have been sickened are from Colorado, however, 24 states have reported cases associated with this outbreak.

Pregnant women are 20 times more likely to come down with listeriosis. Young babies, the elderly and people with weak immune systems are also at risk of becoming ill with listeria after eating contaminated foods.

When a pregnant woman is infected with Listeria, she is at risk for having a miscarriage or a premature delivery. If she does deliver her baby while she is infected, her newborn infant is at risk for developing a serious, potentially fatal infection.

Jensen Farms has recalled it’s Rocky Ford brand cantaloupes. If you have any of the Rocky Ford brand cantaloupes, you should throw them away. If you are not sure where your cantaloupe is from, you should also get rid of it. The CDC recommends: “When in doubt, throw it out.”

Symptoms can occur as long as 2 months after you have eaten a tainted cantaloupe. The cantaloupes were recalled September 14th, so we may see people come down with listeria associated with cantaloupe through mid-November.

Pregnant women often present with a mild flu-like illness. Other symptoms can include diarrhea, fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, seizures and confusion. If you have any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor.

The advice provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice or treatment for specific medical conditions

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2 Responses to Listeria outbreak from cantaloupe linked to miscarriage

Deesays:

October 11, 2011 at 5:29 am

OMG Why are people still eating it????? For me its done for the season!! Even on my birth month board, ppl are still eating it… I guess some people don’t want to be inconvenienced if they like it… but um HELLO?????? Is it really worth it????

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