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| Listeria outbreak may be tied to cantaloupes: CDC |
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Multithumb found errors on this page: There was a problem loading image C:\wamp\www\images/stories/08_listeria.jpg  U.S. heath officials say a food-borne bacterial outbreak blamed for four deaths may be linked to cantaloupes from Colorado. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said numerous cases of a strain of the germ Listeria have been reported in six states, including at least 11 in Colorado, 10 in New Mexico, two in Texas, and one each in Indiana, Nebraska and Oklahoma. The four deaths have been reported in Colorado and New Mexico, the Associated Press reported. The CDC said it was the first time a Listeria outbreak has apparently been linked to cantaloupes in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it had not recalled the melons, and it was working to locate the source. Colorado Agriculture Commissioner John Salazar said the contamination might not be cantaloupes, but a truck or other source, the AP said. Listeriosis is a foodborne illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes -- bacteria found in soil and water. The germ can be turn up in a variety of raw foods as well as in processed foods and foods made from unpasteurized milk. Listeria is unlike many other germs because it can grow even in the cold temperature of the refrigerator, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Symptoms of infection include fever and chills, headache, upset stomach and vomiting. While anyone can get the illness, those most vulnerable include pregnant women and unborn babies, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems, the NIH said. (Source: news.yahoo)   Socialize this Subscribe to our RSS feed to stay in touch and receive all of TT updates right in your feed reader
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