The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have updated the multistate outbreak of Salmonella linked to cantaloupes produced on Chamberlain Farms in Indiana. Two outbreak strains of the bacteria have been discovered. The outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium has sickened 240 people in 26 states, and Salmonella Newport has sickened 30 people in 7 states. The Chamberlain cantaloupes were recalled on August 28, 2012. Watermelons from the farm were recalled on September 9, 2012.
The case numbers by state for those infected with Salmonella Typhimurium are: Alabama (16), Arkansas (6), California (2), Florida (1), Georgia (9), Iowa (10), Illinois (26), Indiana (24), Kentucky (70), Massachusetts (2), Maryland (1), Michigan (6), Minnesota (5), Missouri (15), Mississippi (7), Montana (1), New Jersey (2), North Carolina (7), Ohio (6), Oklahoma (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (5), Tennessee (8), Texas (2), and Wisconsin (6). The case numbers by state for those infected with Salmonella Newport are: Illinois (8), Indiana (9), Michigan (1), Missouri (6), Ohio (3), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (2). So far, 101 people have been hospitalized, and three people in Kentucky have died.
The 66 new cases are from 18 states: Alabama (3), Arkansas (1), Georgia (5), Iowa (2), Illinois (10), Indiana (11), Kentucky (7), Maryland (1), Michigan (1), Missouri (8), Mississippi (2), Montana (1), North Carolina (2), Ohio (4), Oklahoma (1), South Carolina (2), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (4). Illness onset dates range from July 6, 2012 to August 30, 2012. The age range of patients is from less than 1 year to 100 years. Among 196 people who have provided information to the government, 101, or 52%, have been hospitalized, which means these strains are virulent.
The state of Indiana found Salmonella Newport with a different PFGE pattern from the identified outbreak strain that matches another cluster of 25 ill people with infections in eight states. That outbreak is also being investigated by state and federal officials to see if there is a link between those illnesses and melon consumption.
Linda Larsen has written 28 cook books. She worked for the Pillsbury company in their test kitchens and for the Pillsbury Bake-Off. She holds a degree with High Distinction in Food Science from the University of Minnesota.
Fred Pritzker is a food safety advocate and attorney. He represents people sickened by contaminated food.
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