For the Tomahawk Leader
WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), on Tuesday, Nov. 21, announced that cantaloupes linked to salmonella infections had been sold in Wisconsin.
DHS said it had been working with the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), local health departments and federal partners to investigate a multistate salmonella outbreak.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 43 people in 15 states had been infected with the outbreak strain of salmonella as of Tuesday, Nov. 21, including at least four people from four counties in Wisconsin. DHS did not identify the counties.
Several cantaloupes and cantaloupe-containing products have been recalled recently due to suspicion of aalmonella contamination, including:
- Whole fresh cantaloupes with a label that says “Malichita,” “4050,” and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique” sold between Oct. 16 and Oct. 23.
- ALDI cantaloupe, cut cantaloupe and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging with best-by dates between Oct. 27 and Oct. 31.
“Anyone who purchased recalled cantaloupe products is advised to not eat them and to throw them away, along with any food that may be packaged with the cantaloupe (for example: fruit salad),” DHS stated. “This includes any fresh fruit that was frozen for later use. If you ate any recalled cantaloupe and are experiencing symptoms of salmonellosis, contact a doctor right away. Let them know you may have been in contact with salmonella.”
Signs and symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and vomiting that lasts for several days.
Salmonellosis, or salmonella infection, is caused by salmonella bacteria that are spread by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, or by direct or indirect contact with fecal matter from infected people or animals. Salmonella is a common cause of diarrheal illness, though in rare cases, it can cause bloodstream infections.
Children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems may have more serious symptoms.
Though most people will recover from salmonellosis on their own, some people may require extra fluids to prevent dehydration.
This investigation is ongoing.
Updates and additional information about the investigation can be found on the DHS Outbreaks in Wisconsin webpage at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/outbreaks/index.htm.