What had an outbreak of cantaloupes in 2012?

September 11, 2012 Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Investigators are using DNA analysis of Listeria isolated from patients to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak.

Does cantaloupe have listeria?

Two people have died after eating rockmelon (cantaloupe) contaminated with listeria. A total of ten cases have been confirmed in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria between January 17 and February 9, and more are expected.

How does Listeria get into cantaloupe?

Listeria is a bacteria commonly found in water and soil. Officials speculate that the cantaloupes were contaminated by irrigation water or a heavy rainstorm. The cantaloupe’s textured skin can trap and hold bacteria it picks up during growing, harvesting, packing, storage, transport, and distribution.

What caused the listeriosis outbreak?

Contaminated polony that was produced at a single facility was the cause of a large national outbreak of listeriosis predominantly associated with an L. monocytogenes ST6 strain in South Africa.

When did listeria outbreak start?

Illnesses started on dates ranging from April 6, 2021, to June 5, 2021. Sick people range in age from 60 to 95 years, with a median age of 89, and 66% are male. All three people were hospitalized, and one death reported is from Texas.

How do you avoid listeria in cantaloupe?

To help prevent infection, the CDC recommends you do the following:

  1. Rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating, cutting or cooking them.
  2. Scrub farm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
  3. Dry produce with a clean cloth or paper towel.

What happens if you eat too much cantaloupe?

Cantaloupes are a good source of this mineral, which can help lower your blood pressure. But too much of it may cause problems if you have kidney disease. That’s because your organs may not be able to filter out all the extra potassium, This can lead to a serious condition called hyperkalemia. Fiber.

How do you clean cantaloupe listeria?

Rinse the Rind. Wash your hands thoroughly, grab a good veggie brush, and give your melon a vigorous scrub under running water. Dr. Bunning suggests setting it down in a colander or bowl, so you can use both hands to cleanse the heavy fruit. Skip the soap—water alone is just as effective, she says.

When was the last listeria outbreak in the US?

Their illnesses started on dates ranging from Oct. 20, 2020, to March 17, 2021, with 12 illnesses occurring in 2021, according to the CDC. The implicated cheese products are past their shelf life and should no longer be available for sale, according to an update from the Food and Drug Administration.