For the last few months, there has been an outbreak of Listeria in several states, infecting over 100 people, with 18 people dying from it.  Many of my patients ask me about the outbreak and what they can do to avoid coming in contact with it. I’d like to talk to you about how you and your family can stay safe during this current Listeria outbreak.

What You Need To Know About The Listeria Outbreak

About mid July, some Listeria infected Frontera Produce-Rocky Ford type cantaloupes had been shipped out from Colorado-Jensen Farms to several destinations across the country.  The first illnesses started to be reported around the end of July in mostly older people with a median age of 79. Most of these people required hospitalization but survived the infection.

Since around the middle of September, the scope of the outbreak has increased about 6 times larger than it originally was. In fact, cases reported after September 7, are not part of this figure. The Listeria outbreak has spread into 20 states as far west as Wyoming and as far south as Louisiana.

According to the CDC records, about 49% of the infected are women, a few who are pregnant.  People who are at greatest risk for Listeria infection are the elderly, pregnant women, and children because of lower immunity systems.  Women can pass the bacteria to their unborn child and it can result in miscarriage and stillbirth.

The infecting organism is called Listeria monocytogenes and there are 4 strains of these bacteria that are part of the outbreak.  It is a foodborne pathogen, which is the usual route of human infection. Typically, the CDC reports about 800 cases of Listeria infections every year and much smaller outbreaks than this current one.

Although Listeria can form in many different types of produce, raw milk, deli meats, cheese, this outbreak involves the Rocky Ford type cantaloupe.  People bought and ate the cantaloupe and subsequently became ill – some sooner, but others took a few weeks to show symptoms.  Since the first cases were reported, over 300,000 cartons of the cantaloupes have been recalled for public safety. The CDC tells us that it is the first Listeria outbreak where cantaloupe has been the infected carrier – usually its meats and cheeses, like deli products and packaged hot dogs.

What Are The Symptoms of Listeria Infection?

Often times a Listeria infection can be mistaken for other illnesses as it shares some common symptoms with flu and upper respiratory infections, most commonly fever, stomach upset/diarrhea, stiff neck, headaches, and overall aching muscles and joints.  However, the infection can have a long incubation period, as long as 2 months, from the time of ingesting the bacteria to the arrival of symptoms.  Only a blood test can confirm the presence of a Listeria infection.

If someone has consumed only a very small amount of Listeria bacteria from food, likely they will not need treatment. However, more moderate consumption of the bacteria (i.e., eating an entire infected cantaloupe) needs to be treated immediately with antibiotics.

Health professionals in the states where other infections have occurred are on the lookout for Listeria in their patients.  Elderly and pregnant women who feel they may have some Listeria-like symptoms should get evaluated with a blood test to be sure.

What Can I Do To Avoid A Listeria Infection?

If you live in any of the states affected by the Listeria outbreak/recall, i.e., Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming — with possible others– you will want to stay away from purchasing/eating cantaloupe during the recall. Those who live in other areas, be wary of the cantaloupe that you purchase, check to see what type of cantaloupe it is and where it comes from.

However, as I explain to my patients, and as health researchers at the CDC are also questioning, the way in which people are eating even previously uninfected cantaloupe may also be contributing to the Listeria problem.  Here’s why:  Not cleaning the outside of the fruit, then cutting the fruit and leaving it out on the counter, without refrigeration, can cause Listeria to grow quickly.

In addition, wetness of the skin of the cantaloupe can also cause mold to grow even after it’s been refrigerated.  It’s best to wash the cantaloupe right before you are going to eat it and dry its skin with paper towel before you put it into the refrigerator.  Do not place the cantaloupe near deli meats or cheese in the refrigerator to prevent infection.  The best temperature for storage is between 36 and 41 degrees Fahrenheit.  Be sure to wash your hands and any countertop surfaces completely after handling a cantaloupe.

As I try to assure my patients, the Listeria outbreak should be winding down soon. The cantaloupe growing season is over and a vast number of the already shipped cantaloupes have been recalled.

However, if you follow the precautions noted above, you should have no concern of getting a Listeria infection from cantaloupe.  If you have any symptoms that seem questionable to you, by all means have them checked out at your doctor’s office or a nearby Urgent Care.

photo credit: abovethelaw.com