Salmonella outbreak continues to spread across US. What about Florida? How to stay safe

Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
·4 min read

The number of people who have gotten sick from salmonella linked to cantaloupe continues to grow across the U.S.

As the holidays approach, with the associated parties and platters of food to enjoy, here's what you should know.

Salmonella outbreak fast facts

  • Illnesses: 230

    • 24 in long-term care facilities

    • 23 in child-care centers

  • Hospitalizations: 96

  • Deaths: 3

  • States: 38

  • Recall: Yes

  • Investigation status: Active

What should you do? Salmonella outbreak prompts recall of cantaloupe, including in Florida.

How many people have gotten sick from salmonella linked to cantaloupe?

On Nov. 21, 43 people in 15 states have been infected with a strain of salmonella, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

As of Dec. 7, that number has grown to 230 people across 38 states.

The CDC added the number of people affected by salmonella may be much higher.

"This outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses, and the true number of sick people is likely much higher than the number reported. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for salmonella," the agency said.

Has anyone died from the salmonella outbreak?

Yes, according to the CDC, three people have died.

Is the CDC concerned about the outbreak?

Yes.

"CDC is concerned about this outbreak because the illnesses are severe and people in long-term care facilities and childcare centers have gotten sick.

"Do not eat pre-cut cantaloupes if you don’t know whether Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupes were used," the CDC warned.

Has anyone in Florida died or gotten sick from salmonella linked to cantaloupe?

As of Dec. 7, 230 people across the U.S. have gotten sick from salmonella linked to cantaloupe.
As of Dec. 7, 230 people across the U.S. have gotten sick from salmonella linked to cantaloupe.

Although some of the recalled cantaloupe was sold in Florida, nobody has gotten sick in Florida, according to CDC data.

What brands of cantaloupe were recalled?

All cantaloupe recalls also are listed on FDA’s cantaloupe recall website.

Malichita and Rudy brand whole cantaloupes

Pre-cut fruit products made with recalled whole cantaloupes 

  • Kwik Trip cantaloupe cups, mixed fruit cups, and fruit tray with sell-by dates from Nov. 4 through Dec. 3

  • TGD Cuts cantaloupe chunks, mixed fruits, and fruit trays with use-by dates from Nov. 2 through Nov. 24

  • Freshness Guaranteed and RaceTrac cantaloupe chunks, seasonal blend, melon mixes, and fruit mixes with best-by dates from Nov. 7 through Nov. 12

  • Vinyard cantaloupe cubes, melon medleys, and fruit medleys sold in Oklahoma stores from Oct. 30 through Nov. 10

  • Kroger, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Trader Joe’s cantaloupe chunks, mixed melons, fruit medleys, and fruit trays with best-by dates from Oct. 28 through Nov. 8

  • Cut Fruit Express cantaloupe chunks, melon mixes, and fruit mixes with use-by dates from Nov. 4 through Nov. 6

  • ALDI whole cantaloupes, cantaloupe chunks, and pineapple spears with best-by dates from Oct. 27 through Oct. 31

  • Bix Produce cantaloupe fruit cups and mixed fruit cups with sell-by dates of Oct. 25 and Oct. 26

What should you do?

  • Do not eat pre-cut cantaloupes if you don’t know whether Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupes were used.

    • This includes cantaloupe chunks and fruit mixes with cantaloupes at restaurants and grocery stores.

  • Do not eat any recalled whole or pre-cut cantaloupe products.

    • If you have any, throw them away or return them to the store.

    • If the whole cantaloupe does not have a sticker, check with the store to make sure it is not a Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupe.

  • Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the cantaloupe using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

  • Call your healthcare provider if you have any of the symptoms assocaited with salmonella

Suggestions for long-term care facilities and child-care centers

Adults 65 and older, children under the age of 5 years, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get very sick from salmonella.

In this outbreak, 24 sick people resided in long-term care facilities and 23 children attended child-care centers before they got sick.

The CDC advised facilities that care for people at higher risk to not serve cantaloupes that may be contaminated:

  • Do not use any recalled whole or pre-cut cantaloupes.

  • Do not serve any cantaloupe that was supplied pre-cut if you don’t know whether Malichita or Rudy brand cantaloupes were used.

What are symptoms of salmonella?

Most people infected with salmonella experience diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Symptoms usually start 6 hours to 6 days after swallowing the bacteria. Most people recover without treatment after 4 to 7 days. Symptoms include:

  • Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees

  • Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving

  • Bloody diarrhea

  • So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down

  • Signs of dehydration, such as:

    • Not urinating much

    • Dry mouth and throat

    • Feeling dizzy when standing up

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Salmonella outbreak: cantaloupe, recalls, symptoms, what to know