Death Toll Linked to Listeria-laced Cantaloupes Rises to 25, Causes Miscarriage

As was predicted by officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the death toll associated with the cantaloupes carrying listeria has increased, despite the fact that the infected melons were taken off the market weeks ago.

The cantaloupes—grown in and shipped from Jensen Farms in Holly, Colorado—have caused 25 deaths as of now, and have infected 123 people across 26 states; in one instance, a pregnant woman suffered a miscarriage after contracting the infectious disease.

Four separate strains of listeria were confirmed to have come from the infected melons.

Symptoms of the disease are fever, muscle aches, stiff neck, confusion, and diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems.

The updated death toll per state is as follows:

• Six deaths in Colorado
• Five in New Mexico
• Two per state in Texas, Kansas, New York, and Louisiana
• One per state in Indiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wyoming.

The CDC reported that the ages of the deceased range between 48 and 96 years old, with a median age of 87. High-risk individuals, such as the elderly or pregnant women, are at the greatest risk of mortality due to their compromised immune systems.

This current outbreak has been compared to the deadly 1998 listeria outbreak, which caused 21 deaths.

Previous articles contain further information on this story.