The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is continuing to warn Mississippi residents of an increased risk of contracting salmonella following an outbreak strain linked to several brands of cantaloupes.
Within the past week, an additional 113 people have been infected with the strain in four states, resulting in a total case count of 230 people from 38 states. One death was reported in Oregon.
At this time, only one resident from Mississippi has been impacted by the current recall, which included the Malichita and Ruby brands of whole cantaloupes.
According to the CDC, many pre-cut cantaloupe products from Kwik Trip, Bix Produce, Kroger, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Trader Joe’s have also been recalled since late November.
The CDC is advising individuals to not consume pre-cut cantaloupes if they do not know what brand of whole cantaloupes was used.
At this time, more than half of those who have contracted salmonella from the recalled product have had severe illnesses that have resulted in being hospitalized. Of those, 24 resided in long-term care facilities and 23 children attended childcare centers before becoming sick.
Facilities that care for people who are at a high risk for severe illnesses are being advised to not serve cantaloupes that may be contaminated.
The CDC has released the following tips for those who have recently purchased cantaloupe:
- Do not eat pre-cut cantaloupes if you don’t know whether Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupes were used
- Do not eat any recalled whole or pre-cut cantaloupe products
- Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the cantaloupe using hot soapy water or a dishwasher
- All cantaloupe recalls are listed on FDA’s cantaloupe recall website
Those infected with salmonella often include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps within six hours to six days after consuming the bacteria.
Most individuals recover without treatment after four to seven days, but some —especially children younger than five years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems— experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment.
