Albuquerque, Bernillo County NM Hit Hard By Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak
Bernillo County, New Mexico has been hard hit by the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak.Of the 13 New Mexico residents who contracted listeriosis from eating tainted cantaloupe, five have died. Two of the fatalities and some of the other illnesses occurred in Bernillo County, a central New Mexico county that includes Albuquerque.
The other fatalities in New Mexico occurred in Curry, McKinley and Lea counties, the other illnesses occurred in Chaves, Otero, De Baca, and Valencia counties. The victims range in age from the 43 to 96 and include seven men and six women.
Nationwide, the outbreak has stricken 109 people in 24 states according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Health officials have identified the source as Rocky Ford cantaloupes grown on Jensen Farms in southeastern Colo.
The tainted melons were shipped to 24 states from July 29- September 10. Although Jensen Farms issued a recall on September 14, the CDC expected the number of illnesses to increase due to the long incubation period that is possible with listeriosis. In some instances, it take more than two months after ingesting the bacteria before the onset of symptoms occurs.
Listeriosis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection that is caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and newborns.
PritzkerOlsen a national food safety law firm, is representing families who are grappling with the devastating effects of this outbreak. Free case consultations are available to those who phone 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or submit our free consultation form.
