Listeria death toll reaches 22

Federal health officials say that 21 people have now died from a nationwide outbreak of listeria, including one unborn child. The outbreak originated in Colorado, and has spread to 23 states ranging from California to the East Coast.

ATLANTA, GA (Catholic Online) - At least 109 people have been sickened in the outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC initially reported five deaths in Colorado, five in New Mexico, two in Texas, two in Kansas, and one in Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

They have also announced they are aware of one miscarriage associated with the outbreak, which brings the death toll to 22.

At least two additional deaths in Louisiana are being investigated, and may soon be linked.

The number of people affected by the listeria outbreak is expected to grow. Officials from the CDC warned that it could take up to two months for listeria symptoms to appear in victims
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In 1998 an outbreak of listeria in hot dogs and deli meats killed 21 people. And in 1985 in the deadliest outbreak ever recorded, 52 people died after eating contaminated cheese.

The most recent outbreak has been linked to cantaloupes harvested from Jensen Farms in Holly, Colorado. The farm recalled its cantaloupes. The deadly bacteria were found on equipment and cantaloupe samples at the Jensen Farms' packing facility in Colorado.

It's believed that all of the contaminated produce has been removed from store shelves.

Margaret Hamburg, the FDA commissioner said that the agency is investigating the cause of the outbreak. Officials are looking at the farm's water supply, and the possibility of animal intrusions in an effort to identify the source of the problem. Listeria bacteria typically grow in moist and muddy conditions, and are commonly found in raw sewage. The bacteria is often carried by animals.

In most victims, listeria causes upset stomach and intestinal distress, but it does not result in death. Only people with weak immune systems, such as young children and the elderly, are at the greatest risk of death from listeria.

Officials from the FDA and CDC have reassured the public that cantaloupes are safe to eat. Cantaloupes from the contaminated shipments should remain on store shelves, because the last of them were shipped on September 10 and a are only supposed to have a two-week shelf life. The public has been warned that the recall to cantaloupes may be labeled, "Colorado Grown," ''Distributed by Frontera Produce," "'Jensenfarms.com" or "Sweet Rocky Fords."

They also report that this is the first known outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe. Listeria is typically found in meats, unpasteurized milk and cheese although, there have been a number of more recent outbreaks in produce.

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