West Virginia Listeria Cases Linked to Cantaloupe Grown by Jensen Farms in Colorado
One person in West Virginia has a laboratory-confirmed case of listeriosis linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe grown by Jensen Farms in Colorado. The cantaloupe has sickened over 30 people in several states. In response to this outbreak, Jensen Farms recalled its Rocky Ford cantaloupe shipped from July 29 through September 10, 2011. Although West Virginia has not been identified as a state where recalled cantaloupes from Jensen Farms were distributed, health officials think the person may have purchased recalled cantaloupes in another state:
“Given our shared border, it’s quite likely that some West Virginians buy groceries in Pennsylvania. At this point, we don’t know exactly what stores may be affected by this recall, so consumers should ensure any purchased cantaloupe is not part of the recall before consuming,” said West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass in a press release. State agriculture inspectors are aware of the recall and checking for recalled product during regular store visits, he added.
Listeriosis is a serious, sometimes fatal infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns.
Listeriosis symptoms include fever and muscle aches, often preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. In more severe cases, there can also be headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, according to the CDC. Pregnant women typically experience only mild, flu-like symptoms. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
Listeria attorneys at PritzkerOlsen, P.A., a nationally recognized leader in food safety law, can answer legal questions about illnesses that are part of this outbreak. Contact them for a free consultation. They are experts in listeriosis and have won dozens of cases and millions of dollars for their clients.
