Cantaloupe Salmonella Outbreak Claims Lives and Spreads Across U.S.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that two people have died and the number of salmonella cases linked to cantaloupes has more than doubled since the outbreak was announced last week. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the outbreak, which has affected 99 people in 32 states. Several fruit producers have issued recalls for cantaloupes and cantaloupe products distributed nationwide. Health officials are urging consumers and businesses to throw away the recalled fruits, which include imported whole cantaloupes grown in Mexico and pre-cut cantaloupes sold under various brand names. The CDC warns that the true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. Salmonella is a food-borne bacteria that causes salmonellosis, a potentially fatal disease.