CDC Issues Final Update on Salmonella Infections Linked to Cantaloupe

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a final investigation update regarding the multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Newport infections linked to cantaloupe:
http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/typhimurium-cantaloupe-08-12/index.html.

A total of 261 persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Typhimurium (228 persons) and Salmonella Newport (33 persons) were reported from 24 states; 94 ill persons were hospitalized. Three deaths were reported in Kentucky.

Collaborative investigation efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicated that cantaloupe originating from Chamberlain Farms Produce, Inc. of Owensville, Ind., was the source of this outbreak.

On Aug. 22, 2012, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a recall of cantaloupes originating from Chamberlain Farms Produce, Inc. On Oct. 3, 2012, the FDA issued a document that lists observations  made by the FDA investigators during the inspection of Chamberlain Farms.

This particular outbreak appears to be over, according to the CDC; however, Salmonella is still an important cause of human illness in the United States. More information about Salmonella and steps people can take to reduce their risk for infection can be found on the CDC's Salmonella web page and the CDC Vital Signs web page at www.cdc.gov.