Cantaloupe cause Listeria Outbreak
An outbreak of listeriosis, an illness caused by the food-borne pathogen listeria, has killed at the very least 4 and sickened individuals across 4 states.
Three with the five deaths attributed to the contamination were in New Mexico, and folks in Colorado, Texas and Nebraska also fell ill in the outbreak, traced to consumption of cantaloupe. Listeriosis is generally contracted from deli meats and hot dogs, and may outcome from consumption of dairy as well.
Two of the listeria-related deaths from this outbreak occurred in Colorado, and public health officials think they might have traced the outbreak to “cantaloupe from the famed Rocky Ford area” as the “likely culprit” behind the serious illnesses and deaths.
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What is Listeria?
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
