2011-2012 Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Whole Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, Colorado - 146 persons infected, 34 deaths, 1 miscarriage

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...78203X20110903

Listeria outbreak kills two in Colorado
By Keith Coffman

DENVER | Fri Sep 2, 2011 9:00pm EDT

DENVER (Reuters) - Two people in Colorado have died in the last month in a listeria outbreak following a puzzling surge in cases of gastrointestinal infection caused by the food-borne bacteria, state public health officials said.

Alicia Cronquist, a state epidemiologist, said nine people in Colorado were hospitalized with the infection in August, including the two who died, with seven cases tallied in just the last week.

Colorado typically sees 10 cases of listeria per year, Cronquist said...

[Shiloh]

Re: Listeria outbreak in western US: Cantalope warning issued

Source: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/...e_8676836.html

Cantaloupe warning issued after Listeria outbreak
By STEVEN K. PAULSON , 09.13.11, 06:16 PM EDT

DENVER --

Health officials have issued a warning for cantaloupes from a revered melon-producing area of Colorado amid a bacteria outbreak blamed for four deaths in the state and New Mexico, troubling farmers who depend on sales of the fruit.

The warning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention came after 16 cases of a strain of Listeria were reported in five states, including 11 from Colorado, two from Texas, and one each from Indiana, Nebraska and Oklahoma...

[Missouriwatcher]

Deaths from Listeria in Cantaloupes Total 16?

September 14, 2011 - Jensen Farms, of Holly, CO is voluntarily recalling their shipments of Rocky Ford whole cantaloupe because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria. The company is working with the State of Colorado and the FDA to inform consumers of this recall. L. monocytogenes is a bacterium that can contaminate foods and cause a mild non-invasive illness (called listerial gastroenteritis) or a severe, sometimes life-threatening, illness (called invasive listeriosis). Persons who have the greatest risk of experiencing listeriosis after consuming foods contaminated with L. monocytogenes are fetuses and neonates who are infected after the mother is exposed to L. monocytogenes during pregnancy, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.

The whole cantaloupes in question were shipped between July 29th, 2011 and September 10th 2011, and distributed to the following states: IL, WY, TN, UT, TX, CO, MN, KS, NM, NC, MO, NE, OK, AZ, NJ, NY, PA. The whole cantaloupes have a green and white sticker that reads: Product of USA- Frontera Produce-Colorado Fresh-Rocky Ford-Cantaloupe or a gray, yellow, and green sticker that reads: Jensen Farms-Sweet Rocky Fords. If the whole cantaloupe is unlabeled, please contact your retail store for sourcing information. Jensen Farms is requesting any consumer that many have one of these cantaloupes to please destroy the products.

The recall involves only whole cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms, and no other commodities are involved. Jensen Farms feels it is prudent to participate in the recall as the State of Colorado has stated (in their September 12th, 2011 press release) that people at a high risk for infection should not eat whole cantaloupe from the Rocky Ford growing region.

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm271879.htm

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: FDA Warns Consumers Not to Eat Rocky Ford Cantaloupes Shipped by Jensen Farms

FDA warns consumers not to eat Rocky Ford Cantaloupes shipped by Jensen Farms

Fast Facts

The FDA is warning consumers not to eat Rocky Ford Cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms and to throw away recalled product that may still be in their home.
Jensen Farms is voluntarily recalling Rocky Ford Cantaloupe shipped from July 29 through September 10, 2011, and distributed to at least 17 states with possible further distribution.
The recalled cantaloupes have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria and may be linked to a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis.
The CDC reports that at least 22 people in seven states have been infected with the outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes as of September 14.
Patients reported eating whole cantaloupes they purchased from grocery stores marketed from the Rocky Ford growing region of Colorado.
While all people are susceptible to Listeria, older adults, persons with weakened immune systems and pregnant women are at particular risk.

What are the Symptoms of Listeriosis?
Listeriosis is a rare and serious illness caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria called Listeria. Persons who think they might have become ill should consult their doctor. A person with listeriosis usually has fever and muscle aches.

Who is at Risk?
Listeriosis can be fatal, especially in certain high-risk groups. These groups include older adults, people with compromised immune systems and certain chronic medical conditions (such as cancer), and unborn babies and newborns. In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and serious illness or death in newborn babies, though the mother herself rarely becomes seriously ill.

What Do Consumers Need To Do?
Consumers should not eat Rocky Ford Cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms and should immediately discard the recalled cantaloupes in the trash in a sealed container so that children and animals, such as wildlife, cannot access them. Consumers who are concerned about illness from Listeria monocytogenes should consult their healthcare professionals.

What Does the Product Look Like?
The cantaloupe may be labeled: Colorado Grown, Distributed by Frontera Produce, USA, Pesticide Free, Jensenfarms.com, Sweet Rocky Fords. http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm271882.htm

The cantaloupes are packed in cartons that are labeled: Frontera Produce, www.fronteraproduce.com or with Frontera Produce, Rocky Ford Cantaloupes. Both cartons also include: Grown and packed by Jensen Farms Granada, CO and Shipped by Frontera Produce LTD, Edinburg, Texas.

Not all of the recalled cantaloupes are labeled with a sticker. Consumers should consult the retailer if they have questions about the origin of a cantaloupe.

Where is it Distributed?
The recalled cantaloupes were distributed to the following states: IL, WY, TN, UT, TX, CO, MN, KS, NM, NC, MO, NE, OK, AZ, NJ, NY, PA. Further distribution is possible...

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm271899.htm

[Missouriwatcher]

Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Rocky Ford Cantaloupes

September 12, 2011...A total of 15 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 4 states. All illnesses started on or after August 15, 2011. The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: Colorado (11), Nebraska (1), Oklahoma (1), and Texas (2). Listeriosis illnesses in several other states are currently being investigated by state and local health departments to determine if these illnesses are part of this outbreak...All 15 (100&#37 patients were hospitalized, and one death has been reported...

Ongoing collaborative investigations by local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate the likely source of the outbreak is a type of cantaloupe, called Rocky Ford cantaloupes, which are grown in the Rocky Ford region of southeastern Colorado. These cantaloupes were harvested in August and September, distributed widely in the United States, and are currently available in grocery stores...

The symptoms vary with the infected person:
Persons other than pregnant women: Symptoms, in addition to fever and muscle aches, can include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.
Pregnant women: Pregnant women typically experience only a mild, flu-like illness. However, infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

More general information about Listeriosis can be found at the CDC's Listeriosis webpage.

http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/listeriosis/091211.html

[Missouriwatcher]

NM Reports Three Deaths from Listeria; Co Reports One Death - Cantaloupes Appear Source

New Mexico Dept of Health:
There have been 10 lab-confirmed listeriosis in NM resulting in 3 deaths and 4 hospitalizations (9 confirmed eating cantaloupe).

http://www.health.state.nm.us/

Colorado Dept of Health:
The have been 11 lab-confirmed listeriosis cases in CO related to the multi-state outbreak; one resulting in death.

http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/

NM is reporting another death from Listeriosis, bringing the total to 4.
CO reported a death from Listeriosis.
Grand total to date: 5

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Rocky Ford Cantaloupes

September 14, 2011...A total of 22 persons infected with the outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 7 states. The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: Colorado (12), Indiana (1), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (4), Oklahoma (1), Texas (2), and West Virginia (1). Two deaths have been reported, one in Colorado and one in New Mexico. NOTE: NM is reporting two additional deaths. http://www.health.state.nm.us/

Collaborative investigative efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies have linked this outbreak to eating whole cantaloupe from Jensen Farms, of Granada, Colorado...

Even if some of the cantaloupe has been eaten without becoming ill, dispose of the rest of the cantaloupe immediately. Listeria bacteria can grow in the cantaloupe at room and refrigerator temperatures.

http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/listeriosis/outbreak.html

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Two Other Deaths from Listeriosis; Total 6 - Rocky Ford Cantaloupes

NM is reporting another death from Listeriosis, bringing the total to 4. (5 of the 10 cases have been linked to the Rocky Ford cantaloupe outbreak through DNA fingerprinting)
CO reported 2 death from Listeriosis, according to DenverPost. http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_18907596
Grand total to date: 6

http://www.health.state.nm.us/

[Pathfinder]

Re: Two Other Deaths from Listeriosis; Total 6 - Rocky Ford Cantaloupes

Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Rocky Ford Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms

Today's Highlights, September 14, 2011

A total of 22 persons infected with the outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 7 states. The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: Colorado (12), Indiana (1), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (4), Oklahoma (1), Texas (2), and West Virginia (1). Two deaths have been reported, one in Colorado and one in New Mexico.

Collaborative investigative efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies have linked this outbreak to eating whole cantaloupe from Jensen Farms, of Granada, Colorado.

On September 14, 2011, FDA issued a press release to announce that Jensen Farms issued a voluntary recall of Rocky Ford Cantaloupe because the cantaloupes have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria and may be linked to a multi-state outbreak of listeriosis.

CDC recommends that persons at high risk for listeriosis, including older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women, do not eat Rocky Ford cantaloupes from Jensen Farms.

Other consumers who want to reduce their risk of Listeria infection should not eat Rocky Ford cantaloupes from Jensen Farms.

Even if some of the cantaloupe has been eaten without becoming ill, dispose of the rest of the cantaloupe immediately. Listeria bacteria can grow in the cantaloupe at room and refrigerator temperatures.

Go to September 14, 2011 for a full report.

More information about listeriosis and recommendations to reduce the risk of getting listeriosis from food are available at CDC?s Listeriosis webpage.

For more information on food outbreaks, please visit CDC?s Multistate Foodborne Outbreaks page.

http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/listeriosis/outbreak.html

*n=22 for whom information was reported as of 9/14/2011

A total of 22 persons infected with the outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 7 states. All illnesses started on or after August 15, 2011...

http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/listeriosis/091411-map.html

[Shiloh]

Deaths From Listeria in Cantaloupes Total 7

Source: http://www.fox23.com/news/local/stor...iUDEl0SYA.cspx

Oklahoman dies from listeria outbreak
Updated: 5:53 pm Published: 9/13 12:59 pm


The Oklahoma State Department of Health has confirmed one person has died from listeria.

The health department says there are five other cases of the disease and four possible cases under investigation. All of the cases are suspected to be related to the nationwide outbreak. All of the Oklahoma cases are over the age of sixty. ..




One Oklahoma Death Confirmed From Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak
http://www.ok.gov/health/Organizatio..._Outbreak.html
The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has now confirmed a total of six cases of listeriosis related to cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms from the Rocky Ford, CO, growing region. All six cases were hospitalized and one of these died. An additional four listeriosis cases are under investigation, and are suspected to be related to the nationwide outbreak. All of the Oklahoma cases are over the age of sixty. While particularly severe for the elderly, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems, state officials recommend that all Oklahomans avoid recalled Rocky Ford cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms.

UPDATE: (Sept 28) The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) has now confirmed a total of 11 cases of listeriosis related to cantaloupe shipped by Jensen Farms from the Rocky Ford, CO, growing region. One death has occurred in Oklahoma connected to this outbreak. It is possible that new cases of disease may still occur since the health effects may not appear for as long as 70 days after eating contaminated cantaloupe.

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Deaths From Listeria in Cantaloupes Total 7

CO Dept of Health (Sept 16, 2011)
Laboratory results provide direct link from cantaloupe to patients
DENVER – Laboratory results of samples obtained by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s state lab have confirmed a direct link between human cases in the Listeria outbreak and cantaloupe labeled as “Rocky Fords” from Jensen Farms in Holly.

Cantaloupe samples from the refrigerator of a Listeria patient’s home, as well as samples obtained from various retail outlets last week, have the same DNA fingerprints as the Listeria that has infected 12 Colorado residents. All of the Listeria-positive cantaloupe samples at this time appear to have been grown at Jensen Farms. A total of 12 cases in Colorado are linked to the outbreak, including one death. The CDC reports at least 22 people in seven states have been infected with the outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes as of Sept. 14...

Urbina said high-risk individuals for listeriosis are people age 60 and older; those with weakened immune systems from transplants or certain chronic diseases, immunosuppressive therapies or medications; and pregnant women. Healthy adults under age 60 rarely develop this illness...

Although these cantaloupes have been, and are being, removed from commerce, additional infections likely will be reported because it takes an average of three weeks to become ill with listeriosis after eating a contaminated product.

Ten samples collected from cantaloupes identified as being from Jensen Farms all came back positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Several samples matched the lab results of Colorado’s 12 confirmed human cases.
The state health department continues to work with FDA and CDC to determine the source of the cantaloupe contamination.

http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Deaths From Listeria in Cantaloupes Total 7

NE Dept of Health (Sept 9, 2011)
In the past two weeks, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Office of Epidemiology has received three reports of listeriosis (two in Douglas County and one in Custer County). The age range is 46 to 85. Two are female. Of the two with known hospitalization history, both were hospitalized. PFGE (DNA fingerprinting) has completed on one isolate. It matches isolates from two other states. The investigation in this cluster so far is finding a strong association with cantaloup...

http://www.nebraska.gov/search/dhhs.ne.gov.html?keywords=listeriosis

TX Dept of Health
...At least 15 people, including two from Texas, have become ill after consuming Rocky Ford cantaloupe. Texas-grown cantaloupes are not included in the warning and have not been linked to the illnesses...

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/

IL Dept of Health (Sept 16, 2011)
...Listeriosis illnesses in several other states –including Cook County in Illinois—are currently being investigated by state and local health departments to determine if these illnesses are part of this outbreak...

http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/press11/9.16.11_Listeria_Cantaloupes.htm

UPDATE: ...The 82-year-old Illinois woman became ill on September 7th after she reported that she ate a cantaloupe from a store where the recalled cantaloupes were sold. She was subsequently hospitalized. http://www.idph.state.il.us/public/p...antaloupes.htm

KS Dept of Health (Sept 15, 2011)
...Kansas has had six cases of listeriosis reported since Aug. 26. None of these cases has been definitively linked to the multistate outbreak, but investigations are underway and additional laboratory testing is pending. Typically, Kansas reports fewer than six cases of listeriosis per year; to date, there have been seven cases in 2011, including the six cases currently under investigation...

http://www.kdheks.gov/news/web_archives/2011/09152011.htm

WY Dept of Health(Sept 16, 2011)
Wyoming Department of Health officials believe a recently indentified case of listeriosis in a Laramie County man is linked to an ongoing multistate outbreak connected to Colorado-grown cantaloupe...

http://www.health.wyo.gov/news.aspx?NewsID=497

MT Dept of Health (Sept 14, 2011)
Department of the Public Health and Human Services officials have identified two cases of listeriosis in Montana residents who reside in two different Montana counties, Gallatin and Yellowstone...

http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/newsevents/newsreleases2011/september/listeria.shtml

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Deaths from Listeria in Cantaloupes Total 8?

KY3 News out of MO is reporting one death from listeriosis within the past week; testing underway to determine if cantaloupe is to blame.

http://www.ky3.com/news/ky3-one-of-2-listeria-victims-in-greene-county-died-tests-for-link-to-cantaloupe-will-take-several-days-20110916,0,7380476.story

MO (Sept 15, 2011)
The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is in the process of investigating two listeria cases that could be linked to the U.S. FDA recall issued on Rocky Ford cantaloupes...

http://www.springfieldmo.gov/health/getStory.jsp?relid=6941

(Sept 30) stltoday.com is reporting 3 confirmed cases of listeriosis in MO (from St. Louis area, Springfield area and Kansas City area).

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/article_f5a102af-3ca5-51e7-ae27-e85a44ab4401.html

[Shiloh]

Re: Deaths from Listeria in Cantaloupes Total 8?

Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...78J0CS20110920

Listeria outbreak deaths rise to four, CDC says
By Keith Coffman

DENVER | Mon Sep 19, 2011 9:31pm EDT

DENVER (Reuters) - The number of confirmed deaths from a listeria outbreak linked to cantaloupe from a Colorado farm that spread to 10 states has grown to four, federal officials said on Monday...

[Missouriwatcher]

Re: Deaths from Listeria in Cantaloupes Total 8?

CDC Report (Sept 19, 2011)
A total of 35 persons infected with the outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 10 states. All illnesses started on or after August 4, 2011. The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: California (1), Colorado (12), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (4), New Mexico (5), Oklahoma (6), Texas (3), and West Virginia (1)...

Among persons for whom information is available, illnesses began on or after August 4, 2011. Ages range from 35 to 96 years, with a median age of 81 years old. Most ill persons are over 60 years old or have health conditions that weaken the immune system. Sixty-five percent of ill persons are female. Among the 28 ill persons with available information on whether they were hospitalized, all were hospitalized. Four deaths have been reported, one in Colorado, one in Oklahoma, and two in New Mexico...

http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/listeriosis/091911.html

FDA Report (Sept 19, 2011)
...the Food and Drug Administration announced that it found Listeria monocytogenes in samples of Jensen Farms’ Rocky Ford-brand cantaloupe taken from a Denver-area store and on samples taken from equipment and cantaloupe at the Jensen Farms’ packing facility. Tests confirmed that the Listeria monocytogenes found in the samples matches one of the three different strains of Listeria monocytogenes associated with the multi-state outbreak of listeriosis.

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm272527.htm

CDC Report (2003):
In 2000, the CDC reported that of all the foodborne pathogens tracked by CDC, Listeria monocytogenes had the second highest case fatality rate (21&#37 and the highest hospitalization rate (90.5%).

http://www.fda.gov/Food/ScienceResearch/ResearchAreas/RiskAssessmentSafetyAssessment/ucm185292.htm