The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an outbreak of salmonella linked to cantaloupes. As of this weekend, the agency revealed that 43 people have been infected in at least 15 states. In addition, it explained that of the 30 people with available information, 17 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
"The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak,” the CDC explained.
"Canada also investigating an outbreak linked to cantaloupes"
The CDC announced that "Canada is also investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes. The strain causing the outbreak in Canada is the same as the U.S. outbreak strain. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency found Salmonella in a sample of Malichita brand cantaloupe and WGS showed that the Salmonella on the cantaloupe is closely related genetically to the bacteria from sick people in Canada.”
This suggests that people in the Canadian and U.S. outbreaks likely got sick from eating cantaloupe.
The CDC claimed that on November 15, Trufresh expanded its recall to include whole melons. Additional products containing Malichita brand melons were also recalled. On November 14, Vinyard Fruit and Vegetable Company recalled pre-cut fruit and ALDI recalled whole cantaloupe, cantaloupe chunks, and pineapple.
