The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Friday that two people have died in Minnesota and 45 others have been hospitalized due to a salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated cantaloupe.
“As previously reported, Canada is also investigating this outbreak and has linked illness in Canada with the same Salmonella strain to cantaloupes,” it added.
The CDC has advised people not to consume recalled cantaloupes, particularly those bearing a sticker that says “Malichita” or “Rudy,” with the number “4050,” and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique.”
Consumers who have the recalled fruits are urged to throw them away or return them to the store immediately.
The CDC advised people to wash and sanitize any surfaces that may have come into contact with it using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher.
The CDC also urged businesses not to sell or serve recalled cantaloupes and fruit products. They are advised to wash and sanitize items that may have come in contact with recalled fruit products.
Most people infected with salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps within six hours to six days after consuming food contaminated with the bacteria, according to the CDC.
Most recover without treatment after four to seven days. However, vulnerable people, including children under five years old, people older than 65, and those with weakened immune systems, could experience a more severe infection that requires medical care or hospitalization.
Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.
Health officials estimate that salmonella bacteria cause approximately 1.35 million human infections, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths annually in the United States.
Eagle Produce LLC from Scottsdale, Arizona, initiated a voluntary recall of 6,456 cases of whole cantaloupes after the fruits were tested in a distribution center by the FDA.
British Columbia Confirms 8 Salmonella Cases
Meanwhile, British Columbia’s Centre for Disease Control said last week that there have been eight confirmed cases of a rare strain of salmonella in the province since mid-November.The center said in a statement that the outbreak had been linked to imported cantaloupes sold under the label “Malichita” that should be disposed of and not consumed.
It said the cases cover people ranging in age from less than a year to 68 years old, living in the Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health and Island Health regions.
The center says B.C.’s cases show a link to recalled cantaloupes elsewhere in Canada and the United States, and on Tuesday, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency updated its recall notice from earlier this month to include B.C.
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