Cantaloupe cause Listeria Outbreak
An outbreak of listeriosis, an illness caused by the food-borne pathogen listeria, has killed at least 4 and sickened folks across four states.
3 in the five deaths attributed to the contamination were in New Mexico, and individuals in Colorado, Texas and Nebraska also fell ill in the outbreak, traced to consumption of cantaloupe. Listeriosis is normally contracted from deli meats and hot dogs, and may outcome from consumption of dairy too.
Two from the listeria-related deaths from this outbreak occurred in Colorado, and public health officials think they may have traced the outbreak to “cantaloupe from the famed Rocky Ford area” as the “likely culprit” behind the extreme illnesses and deaths.
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What is Listeria?
According to MayoClinic, Listeria infection is a food-borne illness that can be very serious for pregnant women and people with impaired immune systems. Listeria infection is most commonly contracted by eating improperly processed deli meats and unpasteurized milk products.
Listeria bacteria can survive refrigeration and even freezing. That’s why people who are at higher risk for serious infections should avoid eating the types of food most likely to contain listeria bacteria.
Listeria Symptoms
If the listeria infection spreads to your nervous system, signs and symptoms may include:
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion or changes in alertness
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
