(NewsInsights.org) – More than 99 people in 32 states have become infected with Salmonella, and two people in Minnesota have died as a result, according to the CDC. On Friday, November 24, the CDC expanded a previous recall on whole and cut cantaloupe products after the number of reported cases in the outbreak more than doubled. Additionally, the number of states involved nearly doubled.
Canada has also reported infections of the same strain of Salmonella and isolated the source to cantaloupes. The CDC issued a Food Safety Alert on November 24, recalling:
- Whole melons with labels reading “Malichita,” “Rudy,” bearing the number “4050,” or identified as a “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique.”
- Suspect whole melons include those associated with the Sofia Produce brand Trufresh, the Crown Jewels Produce brand Malachita/Z Farms, or Pacific Trellis Fruit, LLC’s brand Dulcinea.
- Aldi whole and precut fruit, including whole cantaloupes, chunks, and pineapple spears
- Vinyard brand precut cantaloupes and fruit cup medleys
- RaceTrac and Freshness Guaranteed brands of cut cantaloupes, melon mixes, seasonal fruit blends, and fruit medleys.
The CDC recorded 45 hospitalizations of the 99 reported illnesses thus far. Authorities have encouraged anyone exhibiting severe Salmonella symptoms to contact their healthcare provider. Symptoms include a fever above 102°F, vomiting that precludes keeping fluids down, aggressive diarrhea that might be bloody, diarrhea that continues for three or more days without improving, signs of dehydration, including reduced urination, dry throat and mouth, and dizziness upon standing.
Symptoms can begin within six hours to six days of exposure and last four to seven days. Most individuals recover without medical intervention. However, the CDC warned that immunocompromised individuals, adults older than 65, and children younger than five may experience more severe illness and require treatment or hospitalization.
The CDC recommended throwing away contaminated fruit and products and thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting any surfaces that came into contact with them. The agency is continuing its investigation.
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