Cantaloupe listeria outbreak which states

Source tracing of the cantaloupes that ill persons ate indicated that they came from Jensen Farms, and were marketed as being from the Rocky Ford region. These cantaloupes were shipped from July 29 through September 10 to at least 24 states External , with possible further distribution. Colorado state officials determined that these cantaloupes came from Jensen Farms.

FDA worked closely with CDC, the firms involved, and public health authorities in states where illnesses occurred to determine the cause of contamination. Cantaloupes from other farms were not linked to this outbreak. As of 5pm EDT on September 20, , a total of 55 persons infected with the 4 outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 14 states. All illnesses started on or after August 4, A total of 35 persons infected with the outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 10 states.

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in several states, including Colorado, and the U. Investigators are using DNA analysis of Listeria isolated from patients to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak.

Investigators are using data from PulseNet , the national subtyping network made up of state and local public health laboratories and federal food regulatory laboratories that performs molecular surveillance of foodborne infections.

A total of 15 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 4 states. All illnesses started on or after August 15, The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: Colorado 11 , Nebraska 1 , Oklahoma 1 , and Texas 2.

Listeriosis illnesses in several other states are currently being investigated by state and local health departments to determine if these illnesses are part of this outbreak. Among persons for whom information is available, illnesses began on or after August 15, Ages range from 38 to 96 years, with a median age of 84 years old. Most ill persons are over 60 years old or have health conditions that weaken the immune system. Seventy-three percent of ill persons are female.

Illnesses that occurred after August 26, , might not be reported yet due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported. About cases of Listeria infection are diagnosed each year in the United States, along with 3 or 4 outbreaks of Listeria -associated foodborne illness.

The typical foods that cause these outbreaks have been deli meats, hot dogs, and Mexican-style soft cheeses made with unpasteurized milk. Produce is not often identified as a source, but sprouts caused an outbreak in , and celery caused an outbreak in Ongoing collaborative investigations by local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate the likely source of the outbreak is a type of cantaloupe, called Rocky Ford cantaloupes, which are grown in the Rocky Ford region of southeastern Colorado.

These cantaloupes were harvested in August and September, distributed widely in the United States, and are currently available in grocery stores. Ill persons were interviewed about exposures during the month before becoming ill; investigators compared their responses to persons with listeriosis reported through the CDC Listeria Initiative , whose illnesses were not part of this outbreak. Preliminary results strongly suggest that illnesses are linked to consumption of cantaloupes.

Several ill persons who remembered the type of cantaloupe said they were Rocky Ford cantaloupes. Product traceback information indicated these cantaloupes were marketed as cantaloupes harvested in the Rocky Ford region. Product traceback information from Colorado State officials indicated these cantaloupes were harvested in the Rocky Ford region. FDA is working closely with CDC, the firms involved, and public health authorities in states where illnesses occurred to determine the exact source of contamination.

That total is eight states more than in the CDC's previous update on Sep The products could have also been further distributed, the CDC said. Sherri McGarry, MD, senior advisor in the Food and Drug Administration FDA office of foods, told reporters that a team of federal and state experts are at Jensen Farms conducting an environmental assessment to explore how contamination occurred and what opportunities the pathogen had for continued growth. She said they will be looking at the potential role of animal reservoirs.

The CDC has said the outbreak involves four strains of Listeria , which typically causes invasive infection that can spread to the bloodstream or other body sites.

Barbara Mahon, MD, deputy branch chief with the CDC's enteric disease branch, said it's unusual to see four stains involved in an outbreak, and that they aren't closely related, falling into two different serotypes. The infectious dose for Listeria isn't well understood and may vary by individual, based on underlying health status, she said.

In other related developments, Kansas food processor Carol's Cuts on Sep 23 recalled pounds of fresh-cut cantaloupe due to possible Listeria contamination. The company's action is related to the larger Jensen Farms cantaloupe recall, the FDA said in its recall notice. The Carol's Cuts products were packaged in 5-pound trays and included in 8-ounce fruit medley that was distributed to institutions and restaurants in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Sep 27 CDC outbreak update.

Listeria victim's wife: It's 'pure hell' Cause of listeria in cantaloupe discovered Experts: The outbreak was preventable. We are very, very sorry. We hope it leads to better understanding of food safety," Eric Jensen said. Both brothers pleaded guilty last year to misdemeanor counts of introducing adulterated food into interstate commerce. The prosecution recommended probation because of the cooperation of the brothers, including their willingness to meet with congressional investigators and relatives of their victims, Colorado U.

Attorney John Walsh said in a statement. Because of the Jensen Farms case and this prosecution, changes have been made regarding how fruit is processed and transported across the country. Seven surviving family members testified about what the outbreak did to their loved ones, according to KMGH. I'm very bitter," said Penny Hauser, who lost her husband of 45 years, Michael Hauser. You can say, 'Oh, it wasn't your fault, it could have happened to anybody,' but I bought it, I cut it up and I fed it to him and now I have to live with those consequences.

And I don't think Ryan and Eric Jensen understood the magnitude. Thirty-three Americans died as a result of the outbreak after consuming the infected fruit, authorities said. More than other Americans across 28 states were sickened, many hospitalized, from eating the cantaloupe. The listeriosis outbreak was the deadliest food outbreak in the United States in nearly years, and the third-deadliest outbreak in U.

It could have been prevented, according to numerous food safety experts and federal health officials. September CDC posts initial web announcement about the investigation, saying that the multistate outbreak of listeriosis is linked to cantaloupes marketed as Rocky Ford, and warning persons at high risk nationwide not to eat them. September FDA issues a statement that public health officials have discovered that most ill persons consumed cantaloupe purchased whole, most likely marketed from the Rocky Ford region of CO.

September CDC posts another web update about the investigation, including a warning that the multistate outbreak of listeriosis has been linked to cantaloupes from Jensen Farms. FDA announces that Jensen Farms has issued a voluntary recall of their whole cantaloupes. September Present: CDC and states continue to conduct surveillance for outbreak illnesses. October 6: Fruit Fresh Up of Buffalo, New York initiates a recall of individual packages of fresh cut cantaloupe and cut mixed fruit containing cantaloupe because the cantaloupe was produced by Jensen Farms.