Frightening Features Abound in Active Jensen Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak
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Scientists studying the ongoing cantaloupe Listeria outbreak linked to Jensen Farms Rocky Ford whole melons have noted several unusual features that make it the third deadliest foodborne illness outbreak in U.S. history.
- This is the first listeriosis outbreak associated with melon. Cantaloupe, in particular, has been linked in the past to outbreaks of Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli, but not Listeria. The rough skins can trap bacteria and one melon contaminated with Listeria can spread to all others in a shipment. Cross-contamination also can occur during washing sequences.
- Four widely differing DNA fingerprints and two types of Listeria (1/2a and 1/2b) have been associated with the outbreak.
- This outbreak is unusually large; only two U.S. listeriosis outbreaks, one associated with frankfurters (108 cases) and one with Mexican-style cheese (142), have had more cases. The latest CDC update on the cantaloupe outbreak notes 84 cases in 19 states, but that is certain to grow as lab tests confirm latent cases. Up to 2 months can elapse between eating contaminated food and developing listeriosis.
- This outbreak has the highest number of deaths -- 15 confirmed deaths -- of any U.S. foodborne outbreak since a listeriosis outbreak in 1998. In recent times, it has surpassed the nine deaths caused by the peanut butter and peanut products Salmonella outbreak detected in late 2008. Nine people died in that outbreak.
Invasive listeriosis occurs predominantly in older adults and persons with impaired immune systems. It can lead to sepsis and meningoencephalitis. Listeriosis in pregnant women is typically a mild "flu-like" illness, but can result in fetal loss, premature labor, or neonatal infection. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics.
On September 2, 2011, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment notified CDC of seven cases of listeriosis reported since August 28. That was the beginning of this outbreak, which was late linked to Jensen Farms in a recall announcement made on September 14.
Jensen Cantaloupe Lawsuit:
National food safety law firm PritzkerOlsen, P.A., represents victims of this outbreak, including families of two people who died. Our firm has recorded some of the largest Listeria lawsuit settlements in the country and we continue to offer free consultations for inclusion in a Jensen cantaloupe lawsuit. Call 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free) or leave your contact information and a lawyer will call you. Outbreaks of foodborne illness are preventable and we hope that the lessons of this outbreak will change dangerous and negligent industry practices.
