The Salmonella Adelaide outbreak linked to precut melons has now sickened 70 people in 7 states. That is an increase of 10 patients since the last update on June 8, 2018. Thirty-four of those patients have been hospitalized because they are so sick.
The case count by state is: Illinois (7), Indiana (11), Kentucky (1), Michigan (38), Missouri (10), Ohio (2), and Tennessee (1). Out of 63 people who have been interviewed, 34, or 54%, are in the hospital. Two more states have reported patients since the last update: Kentucky and Tennessee.
The most recent illness started on June 3, 2018, so this outbreak will most likely grow, since the melon products were not recalled until June 8, 2018. The FDA has a list of stores and states where the melons were most likely sold. Please examine that list carefully to make sure you don’t have any of the melon products that may be linked to this outbreak in your home.
These precut cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon products do not have a long shelf life. They are no longer in stores, but consumers may still have some in their refrigerators or freezers. If so, they should be immediately discarded, even if someone ate parts of the product and didn’t get sick.
Attorney Fred Pritzker, who has represented clients sickened with Salmonella infections, said, “Salmonella patients can develop serious health problems in the future, including reactive arthritis and IBS.” Call 1-888-377-8900 for help.
Attorney Fred Pritzker, who has represented many clients sickened with Salmonella infections, said, “Any pathogenic bacteria on fresh fruit is a health risk, since there is no ‘kill step’ to destroy the pathogens before someone eats them. The produce may be highly contaminated, since the hospitalization rate in this Salmonella Adelaide outbreak is more than double the typical rate of 22%.”
Symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning include a fever, muscle aches, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea that may be bloody or watery. If you have eaten precut melons or fruit salads containing those ingredients and have been ill, see your doctor.
