In Colorado, Arapahoe, Denver and El Paso Counties Hit Hard By Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak
The cantaloupe Listeria outbreak has sickened more people in Colorado than any other state. At least 32 people have contracted listeriosis since the outbreak began in August, five of them have died.
Just three counties account for half of all the listeriosis cases confirmed as part of this outbreak. Arapahoe, Denver and El Paso counties have a total of 16 victims, six in Arapahoe and five each in Denver and El Paso counties.
The outbreak, which has stricken 109 people in 24 states according to the latest update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has been linked to 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 listerioisis. In some instances, it take more than two months after ingesting the bacteria before the onset of symptoms occurs.
Listeriosis is a serious sometimes life threatening 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.
Symptoms include: fever, muscle aches, diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. If you think you have listeriosis, see a doctor immediately. If you have legal questions about an illness associated with this outbreak, contact the food safety experts at the law firm of PritzkerOlsen P.A.
