Nationwide outbreak of listeriosis cases associated with Colorado cantaloupes
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Cases of cantaloupe contamination have swept through the news in recent months. Nineteen US states have reported cases of listeriosis, a bacterial infection than can be caused by produce contaminated with the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.
The Center for Disease Control reported that as of Sept. 29, the death toll from cantaloupe contamination had reached 15, with 84 cases of listeriosis reported in all. The source of the contamination is the Rocky Ford brand of whole cantaloupes, grown by Jensen Farms, a Colorado producer.
Jensen Farms issued a voluntary recall on its cantaloupes on Sept. 14. The affected produce was pulled from the shelves of Walmart, Wholes Foods, and local grocery stores.
Listeria monocytogenes is a common bacterium, but only affects humans when ingested. Once inside the body, the bacteria can causedangerous infections.
Listeria contamination causes food poisoning-like gastrointestinal conditions, but can also lead to invasive disease, including meningoencephalitis (where bacteria attack the brain) and sepsis (where contamination of bacteria in the blood causes a potentially fatal full-body inflammatory response).
Ingestion contaminated produce is generally most dangerous for the elderly, pregnant women, and other immune-compromised people. More than three quarters of the patients affected by Rocky Ford cantaloupes were over the age of 60, the CDC reported.
Generally, listeriosis in pregnant women is limited to flu-like symptoms, but can be more dangerous and ultimately lead to fetal loss. There have been at least two reported cases of cantaloupe-related listeriosis in pregnant women in recent weeks.
CDC statistics confirm that this outbreak is one of the largest and deadliest food poisoning incidents in recent US history. It is reportedly the third-largest listeria outbreak ever, and has resulted in more deaths than any such incident in the last decade.
And yet the CDC has announced that it expects more cases. Listeria monocytogenes’ incubation period can last over two months, so although many of the contaminated produce has been recalled, people who ate it may still fall sick in the coming weeks.
Weitz & Luxenberg is currently assessing the legal landscape of listeriosis cases. If you have been harmed by this disease or gotten sick after eating contaminated produce, you have a right to pursue legal compensation. Please contact us today for a free legal evaluation.
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