ALERT: Listeria outbreak linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe

Listeria outbreak linked to Rocky Ford cantaloupe
By Michael Booth and Joey Bunch
The Denver Post
9/13/2011

The Colorado health department said cantaloupe from the famed Rocky Ford area is the likely culprit in the latest listeria outbreak and cautioned some consumers to avoid the fruit.

People at high risk for listeria infection should not eat cantaloupe from the Rocky Ford growing region," said Dr. Chris Urbina, director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

"The department expects additional test results later this week that may help identify the specific source of the cantaloupe linked to the multistate outbreak," Urbina said.

The new tests will involve cutting into individual fruit to take samples, he said.

Listeria is a bacteria found commonly in the soil, but why it has attacked certain melons and whether that infection can spread to other melon crops will require more tests, he said.

Eleven of the 13 Colorado listeria cases this year have been linked to the outbreak, and state officials announced Friday that cantaloupe appeared to be the source. Two people in Colorado have died in the recent round of cases. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is coordinating the investigation.

Rocky Ford growers said most of the fruit has already been shipped to grocery stores in many states.

In New Mexico, three people have died, and six others are ill with listeria infections linked to the fruit.

"At this time, based on the preliminary findings in Colorado, we are cautioning people who are at high risk for listeria infection to avoid eating cantaloupe," New Mexico health secretary Dr. Catherine Torres told The Associated Press.

Health officials say those at high risk for listeria include people older than 60, patients with compromised immune systems and pregnant women.

Symptoms include fever, aches, nausea, confusion and convulsions.

Officials said food preparers should wash their hands before and after handling melon. The outside of the melon should be washed and dried with clean materials before cutting, to keep contamination from reaching the fruit.

Cut melon should be refrigerated, and melon left at room temperature for more than four hours should be thrown out.

Before the current multistate investigation, which includes Texas and Nebraska, zeroed in on cantaloupe, officials said foods at risk of listeria growth are undercooked or underheated hot dogs, soft cheeses, meat spreads and some smoked seafood.