Cantaloupe Salmonella Outbreak Announcement – For the second time within the course of a year, cantaloupes are at the heart of another deadly US food poisoning outbreak. While last year’s outbreak was caused by a type of bacterium known as Listeria, the pathogen Salmonella is currently sickening consumers. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 141 confirmed Salmonella typhimurium food poisoning cases, including 2 deaths and 31 hospitalizations, have been linked to eating contaminated cantaloupes grown in southwestern Indiana. The first illnesses began on about July 7, 2012.
According to the CDC, twenty states have reported cases of salmonellosis caused by the outbreak strain as follows: Alabama (7), Arkansas (3), California (2), Georgia (1), Illinois (17), Indiana (13), Iowa (7), Kentucky (50), Michigan (6), Minnesota (3), Missouri (9), Mississippi (2), New Jersey (1), North Carolina (3), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (3), Tennessee (6), Texas (1), and Wisconsin (2).
Information for Consumers: There are reports that an unidentified farm in southwestern Indiana has contacted its distributors to withdraw its cantaloupes from the market. The farm has agreed not to distribute its cantaloupes for the remainder of the season. There is concern that contaminated cantaloupes may still be in retail stores or in consumer homes. Consumer safety advice, including the handling and disposal of the melons please can be found at Cantaloupe Safety Advice. For recall updates, visit Cantaloupe Recall.
Symptoms of Salmonella Infection: Symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning may include diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, and joint pain. Symptoms usually appear within 12-72 hours after the ingestion of contaminated food. While most people recover within 4-7 days, diarrhea may become so severe that the patient needs to be hospitalized.
In more severe cases, the Salmonella infection may spread from the intestines to the blood stream and other body sites. This can result in death, unless the person is treated promptly with antibiotics. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to suffer severe illness.
Diagnosis of Salmonella Infection: If you suspect that you have contracted Salmonella or are experiencing food poisoning symptoms, contact your doctor. He or she can order a stool culture to confirm Salmonella infection. Let your doctor know that you consumed cantaloupe or a cantaloupe product that may have been recalled.
Contact the Law Firm of Eric H. Weinberg for a Free Cantaloupe Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one are diagnosed with salmonellosis, are awaiting medical confirmation of infection, or have a question regarding your legal rights, you can request a free legal case evaluation by calling us toll free at 1-877-934-6274. Our phones are answered 24/7.
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