CDC warns of Salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes & pre-cut fruit

A CDC food safety alert regarding an outbreak of Salmonella infections has been posted: https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/sundsvall-11-23/index.html

Key Points: 

• Forty-three people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 15 states. Seventeen people have been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.
• Interviews with sick people and laboratory findings show that cantaloupes are making people in this outbreak sick.
• Canada is investigating an outbreak with this same Salmonella strain and they found the strain in a sample of Malichita brand cantaloupe.
• Several brands of whole and pre-cut cantaloupes and pre-cut fruit have been recalled:
  • Malichita brand whole cantaloupes 
  • Vinyard brand pre-cut cantaloupes
  • ALDI whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products
• Investigators are working to identify any additional cantaloupe products that may be contaminated.

What You Should Do: 

• Do not eat any recalled cantaloupes and other fruit products. Throw them away or return them to where you bought them.
• Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled fruit using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

• Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these severe Salmonella symptoms:
  • Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
  • Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
  • Signs of dehydration, such as:
    • Not peeing much
    • Dry mouth and throat
    • Feeling dizzy when standing up

What Businesses Should Do 

• Do not sell or serve recalled cantaloupes or recalled fruit products.
• Wash and sanitize items and surfaces that may have come in contact with recalled fruit.

Salmonella Symptoms: 

• Most people infected with Salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps.
  • Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria.
  • Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days.
• Some people—especially children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems—may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.
• For more information about Salmonella, see the Salmonella Questions and Answers page.