health
Listeriosis outbreak tied to Colorado cantaloupes is over, CDC says
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 26, 2011
The listeriosis outbreak that was linked to eating cantaloupes from Jensen Farms of Holly, Colo., is over, according to a Dec. 8 web update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A total of 146 people were infected with one of the four strains of Listeria monocytogenes that have been reported in 28 states. Reported illness onset spanned from July 31 through Oct. 27, the CDC said. Of those infected, 30 people died, and one pregnant woman had a miscarriage. Most of the infected people were 60 or older (link).
Most at risk of having complications from listeriosis are older adults, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and newborns, the CDC said. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/12/26/hlbf1226.htm.