Washington, DCOfficials from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are warning the public that the risk of illness from Listeria-contaminated cantaloupes, which were recalled in many states across the US recently, could go on for months.
READ MORE food poisoning LEGAL NEWS
Lola Russell of the CDC, told the
Kansas City Star that people who may have consumed the tainted melons could be at risk for as long as two months after consumption because Listeria can incubate in the body for that period of time. So while some people may develop symptoms such as fever, muscle aches and diarrhea within days of eating a Listeria-contaminated cantaloupe, others may not fall ill for weeks afterwards. Ms. Russell advised that people who develop flu-like symptoms, pregnant women and the elderly in particular: “Go to your medical provider and tell them you ate some cantaloupe” in the summertime.
On Friday the CDC updated information regarding the Listeriosis outbreak--the deadliest food-related outbreak in the US for more than a decade--reporting 84 cases of infection, including 15 deaths across 19 states.
Rocky Ford Cantaloupes were distributed to at least 17 states with possible further distribution.
