Health officials at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention are now reporting 13 deaths from a listeria outbreak linked to Colorado cantaloupes. The health organization has also reported that 72 consumers have become ill.
According to official reports the 60 and older age group is most susceptible to death and illness, while pregnant women can experience unwanted terminations and various birth defects if they become infected.
The New York Times has also reported that three more deaths may be linked to the outbreak although verification of those illnesses have not yet been made official.
CDC officials have confirmed deaths in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Maryland. The center has also revealed that the number of deaths and illnesses due to listeria have surpassed salmonella related incidents during the peanut scare three years ago, during the peanut outbreak nine people died.
Consumers who have bought cantaloupes are urged to bring the fruit back to their local grocery or discard of the fruit.
Have you had to return cantaloupes due to the recall? What state is your recall located in?
