Death Toll from Listeria Outbreak Rises to 28

The deadliest US food-borne Listeria outbreak in a quarter century has killed 28 people and caused one miscarriage as of Tuesday, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Rocky Ford-brand cantaloupes which caused this outbreak came from Colorado-based Jensen Farms.

Overall, 133 people in 26 states have contracted the illness thus far, and the CDC reported that one woman, who was pregnant at the time she became sick, suffered a miscarriage.

The reason the death toll continues to rise despite the fact that the cantaloupes were taken off of the market almost one month ago is attributed to the long incubation period associated with Listeria; symptoms sometimes do not appear for two months following the consumption of Listeria-laced foods.

US Food and Drug Administration reported that widespread Listeria contamination was found at the Granada, Colorado, packing plant used by Jensen Farms, which "indicates poor sanitary practices in the facility."

Most at risk for falling ill from listeriosis are the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals suffering from weakened immune systems. Symptoms of Listeria include fever and muscle aches, diarrhea, and other gastric problems.

Further information is available in previous stories.