Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Linked to Cantaloupe- 2 dead, 68 hospitalized

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http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium-cantaloupe-08-12/index.html?s_cid=fb1730
Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium Infections Linked to Cantaloupe
August 17, 2012


Highlights

    Read the Advice to Consumers »
    A total of 141 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 20 states.
        The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (7), Arkansas (3), California (2), Georgia (1), Illinois (17), Indiana (13), Iowa (7), Kentucky (50), Michigan (6), Minnesota (3), Missouri (9), Mississippi (2), New Jersey (1), North Carolina (3), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (3), Tennessee (6), Texas (1), and Wisconsin (2).
        31 ill persons have been hospitalized. Two deaths have been reported in Kentucky.
    Collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that cantaloupe grown in southwestern Indiana is a likely source of this outbreak.
        As a result of the initial investigations by the state health departments in Indiana and Kentucky, a farm in southwestern Indiana has contacted its distributors, which reach outside Indiana into other states, and is withdrawing its cantaloupe from the market place. The farm has agreed to cease distributing cantaloupes for the rest of the growing season.
    Consumers who recently purchased cantaloupes grown in southwestern Indiana are advised not to eat them and discard any remaining cantaloupe.
        Based on the available information, consumers can continue to purchase and eat cantaloupes that did not originate in southwestern Indiana.
        Many cantaloupes have the growing area identified with a sticker on the fruit. If no sticker is present, consumers should inquire about the source. When in doubt, throw it out.
    Retailers and food service operators should not sell or serve cantaloupe grown in southwestern Indiana.
    FDA is continuing to work closely with CDC and state partners during this ongoing investigation. CDC will update the public on the progress of this investigation as information becomes available.


At a Glance:

    Case Count: 141
    States: 20
    Deaths: 2
    Hospitalizations: 31

Initial Announcement
August 17, 2012

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in several states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections. Joint investigation efforts indicate that cantaloupe grown in southwestern Indiana is a likely source of this outbreak.  As a result of the initial investigations by the state health departments in Indiana and Kentucky, a farm in southwestern Indiana has contacted its distributors, which reach outside Indiana into other states, and is withdrawing its cantaloupe from the market place.The farm has agreed to cease distributing cantaloupes for the rest of the growing season.

Public health investigators are using DNA “fingerprints” of Salmonella bacteria obtained through diagnostic testing with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, or PFGE, to identify cases of illness that may be part of this outbreak. They are using data from PulseNet, the national subtyping network made up of state and local public health laboratories and federal food regulatory laboratories that performs molecular surveillance of foodborne infections.
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http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm316665.htm
FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:August 22, 2012
Media Inquiries:Shelly Burgess, 301-796-4651, shelly.burgess@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries:1-888-INFO-FDA

FDA announces recall of cantaloupe by Chamberlain Farms of Owensville Indiana
Farm’s cantaloupe may be one source of contamination in multi-state outbreak of salmonellosis

Fast facts

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is announcing a recall of cantaloupe by Chamberlain Farms, of Owensville, Indiana, because of possible contamination with Salmonella Typhimurium associated with a multi-state outbreak of salmonellosis. The FDA is warning consumers not to eat and to discard cantaloupe from this farm.
    After officials from the FDA, CDC and the state of Indiana briefed Chamberlain Farms on the current status of the investigation, Chamberlain Farms made the decision to recall its cantaloupe from the market place.
    The investigation into this outbreak continues in order to determine whether there are other possible sources of the outbreak.
    Records available currently indicate that this product was initially shipped to Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin, although further shipment was likely.  

What is the problem?

The FDA is announcing a recall of cantaloupe by Chamberlain Farms, of Owensville, Indiana, because of possible contamination with Salmonella Typhimurium associated with a multi-state outbreak of salmonellosis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a total of 178 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium from 21 states. Nationwide, 62 persons have been hospitalized. In Kentucky, two deaths have been reported.

The investigation into this outbreak continues, in order to determine whether there are other possible sources of the outbreak.
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