Death Toll Rises From Listeria in Cantaloupes
4 Known Deaths, 3 More Suspected From Listeria-Contaminated Cantaloupes
By Daniel J. DeNoon, WebMD Health News
Sept. 20, 2011 -- Four people are confirmed dead -- with three more deaths under investigation -- in the ongoing outbreak of listeria food poisoning from contaminated cantaloupes.The CDC's official count has grown to 35 cases in 10 states. In every case where medical records are available, people infected with the outbreak strain of listeria have been hospitalized.
People sickened by the outbreak strains of listeria range in age from 35 to 96 with a median age of 81. Most of those who became ill are over 60 or have other risk factors -- such as pregnancy or weakened immunity -- for serious listeria illness.
The FDA reports that one of the three listeria strains linked to the outbreak has been cultured from Jensen Farms' Rocky Ford brand cantaloupes from a Denver-area store and from equipment and cantaloupes at the Jensen Farms packing plant. Jensen Farms has recalled all cantaloupes shipped from July 29 through Sept. 10 to at least 17 states. Further distribution may have occurred.
The whole cantaloupes may have either of two stickers:
- A green and white sticker that reads: Product of USA -- Frontera Produce -- Colorado Fresh -- Rocky Ford Cantaloupe
- A gray, yellow, and green sticker that reads: Jensen Farms -- Sweet Rocky Fords
If you encounter unlabeled cantaloupes, you should ask your grocer where it came from. If you have one of the recalled cantaloupes, be sure to dispose of it in a closed plastic bag in a sealed trash can to prevent people or animals from eating them. If you've eaten some of a recalled cantaloupe and have not become sick, do not assume the cantaloupe is safe. Dispose of it immediately.
The FDA says you should not to try to wash bacteria from the recalled cantaloupes, as both the inside and outside of the melons may be contaminated.
Listeria monocytogenes bacteria cause a disease called listeriosis. The bacteria are commonly found in the soil, where they eat dead plant matter. When consumed, the bacteria change their nature and become able to enter cells. Unless controlled by immune responses, they can escape the gut and enter the bloodstream.
Blood infection with listeria is extremely serious. The bacteria can enter the brain and nervous system, causing disability or death. Listeria can also infect a developing fetus, causing miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or death of the newborn.
As other foods besides cantaloupes can carry listeria, the CDC recommends these general steps to avoid listeriosis:
- Rinse raw produce, such as fruits and vegetables, thoroughly under running tap water before eating. Dry the produce with a clean cloth or paper towel before cutting them up.
- Thoroughly cook raw meat and poultry.
- Heat hot dogs, deli meats, and cold cuts until they are steaming hot just before serving.
- Do not drink raw (unpasteurized) milk and do not eat fresh, soft cheeses that have unpasteurized milk in them, especially Mexican-style cheeses like queso fresco.
- Be sure that your refrigerator is at or below 40 degrees F and your freezer is at or below 0 degrees F by using a refrigerator thermometer.
Homework
Directions: Read the article. Then, after reading, follow the activities below. Please answer any questions using complete sentences.
Key Vocabulary
-Unpasteurized milk: milk that isnot heat-treated to kill organisms in the milk.
-Grocer (noun): some one who sells groceries (food)
-Recalled: the process of a retailer asking for an item back that was sold.
Your Key Word
1) Find a newkey vocabulary word in this article and define the word in the space below:______
2) In one sentence, summarize the purpose of the article.
For the statements below, identify if the statement is true or false. Make sure to write the sentence out of the text that supports your decision. An example is given below.
Example: Listeria bacteria causes the disease listeriosis.
Answer: True. The article states, “Listeria monocytogenes bacteria cause a disease called listeriosis.”
3) If you feel that your cantaloupe has been infected with the Listeria bacteria, you should try to wash the bacteria off the cantaloupe.
4) Many people who became sick with listeriosis were over the age of 60.
5) It is okay to leave your beef patties a little pink. After all, it adds flavor to your burger.
6) Bacterial cells are commonly found in the soil.
Anaysis Questions:
7) At the end of the article is a list of ways to prevent a Listeria infection. Out of the methods listed, which is a practice you commonly do at home? Why?
Opinion:
8) How do you the cantaloupes originally became infected with the Listeria bacteria? Explain.