Cantaloupe Lawsuit and Listeria Outbreak Update from the CDC
Our law firm is representing the family of a man who died from complications of a Listeria infection (listeriosis) that may have been caused by cantaloupe recalled by Jensen Farms of Colorado. The recalled cantaloupe has been linked to a multistate listeriosis outbreak that has killed at least 4 people. We are also in the process of investigating outbreak cases where the victim was hospitalized but survived.
As the outbreak has grown, we have been contacted by people from several states still not listed by the CDC as having confirmed cases. We are doing our own investigation into these cases to determine if they are part of the outbreak.
After 5 days of silence, the CDC has updated its information on the Jensen Farms cantaloupe Listeria outbreak:
A total of 35 persons infected with the outbreak-associated strains of Listeriamonocytogenes have been reported from 10 states. All illnesses started on or after August 4, 2011. The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: California (1), Colorado (12), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (4), New Mexico (5), Oklahoma (6), Texas (3), and West Virginia (1). Listeriosis illnesses in several other states are currently being investigated by state and local health departments to determine if they are part of this outbreak.
Among persons for whom information is available, illnesses began on or after August 4, 2011. Ages range from 35 to 96 years, with a median age of 81 years old. Most ill persons are over 60 years old or have health conditions that weaken the immune system. Sixty-five percent of ill persons are female. Among the 28 ill persons with available information on whether they were hospitalized, all were hospitalized. Four deaths have been reported, one in Colorado, one in Oklahoma, and two in New Mexico.
In addition to the cases above, there are probable cases in California, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming.
Investigation of the Listeria Outbreak
Among the 27 ill persons with available information on what they ate, 26 (96%) reported consuming cantaloupes. Ill persons were interviewed about exposures during the month before they became ill, and several of them said they ate Rocky Ford cantaloupe, which are grown in the Rocky Ford region of southeastern Colorado. Source tracing of the cantaloupes that ill persons ate indicated that they came from Jensen Farms, of Holly, Colorado, and were marketed as being from the Rocky Ford region.
Laboratory testing by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment identified Listeria monocytogenes bacteria on cantaloupes collected from grocery stores and from an ill person’s home. Product traceback information from Colorado state officials indicated these cantaloupes also came from Jensen Farms.
Jensen Farms Cantaloupe Recall
Prompted by the Listeria outbreak, Jensen Farms recalled their Rocky Ford cantaloupe:
The Jensen Farms cantaloupes in question were shipped between July 29th, 2011 and September 10th 2011, and distributed to the following states: IL, WY, TN, UT, TX, CO, MN, KS, NM, NC, MO, NE, OK, AZ, NJ, NY, PA. The whole cantaloupes have a green and white sticker that reads: Product of USA- Frontera Produce-Colorado Fresh-Rocky Ford- Cantaloupe or a gray, yellow, and green sticker that reads: Jensen Farms-Sweet Rocky Fords.
Our attorneys represent listeriosis victims and their families throughout the United States. Contact them for a free consultation regarding a cantaloupe lawsuit.
Tags: Cantaloupe Food Poisoning, Cantaloupe Lawsuit, Listeria, Listeria Lawsuit, Listeria Lawyer, Listeriosis
