FILE - Cantaloupes are displayed for sale in Virginia on July 28, 2017. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, said it was advising people to stop eating precut cantaloupe if they don't know where it came from due to a deadly outbreak of salmonella poisoning that continues to grow. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
U.S. health officials issued a cautionary advisory on Thursday, urging consumers to refrain from consuming pre-cut cantaloupe unless they can verify its source, as the toll from a widespread salmonella outbreak continues to rise.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated cantaloupe has affected at least 117 individuals across 34 U.S. states. Among them, 61 people have been hospitalized, and tragically, two deaths have been reported. The impact has extended beyond the U.S. borders, with Canada reporting an additional 63 illnesses, 17 hospitalizations, and one fatality tied to the same outbreak.
The severity of the illnesses associated with this outbreak is evident, with over half of the infected individuals requiring hospitalization. This includes residents of long-term care centers and children in day care, amplifying the concern for vulnerable populations.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded previous recalls of both whole and pre-cut cantaloupes to encompass additional entities, including Kwik Trip markets, Bix Produce, and distributor GHGA. The latter distributed recalled products to popular retail outlets such as Kroger, Sprouts Farmer's Markets, and Trader Joe's across several states.
Given the extensive nature of the recalls and the potential ambiguity surrounding the origin of cantaloupes in the market, health officials are advising consumers to exercise caution. The FDA emphasized that if individuals cannot ascertain whether their cantaloupe, including pre-cut varieties or products containing pre-cut cantaloupe, is part of the recall, it is advisable not to consume or use it and instead discard it.
The actual number of people affected by this outbreak is believed to be higher than reported, and the geographic reach of the outbreak may extend beyond states with confirmed cases. Determining whether an individual is part of an outbreak typically takes three to four weeks.
Salmonella infection symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, usually manifesting within six hours to six days after consuming contaminated food. The duration of illness typically spans four to seven days. However, certain individuals, such as children, those above 65 years old, and those with weakened immune systems, may experience severe forms of the illness requiring medical attention or hospitalization.
In light of the evolving situation, health officials stress the importance of vigilance and adherence to safety guidelines to mitigate the impact of the salmonella outbreak and protect public health.
