Third Minnesotan Dies in Nationwide Salmonella Outbreak

Washington DC (KROC-AM News)- A nationwide salmonella outbreak has claimed the life of a third Minnesotan.

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That’s according to an investigation update released Friday by the CDC. Four people across the country have died as a result of the salmonella outbreak.

Last month, the CDC announced the outbreak involving cantaloupes and other pre-cut fruit products. A nationwide recall of the cantaloupes was announced in November that covered fresh cantaloupes sold under the Trufresh brand carrying the "Malichita" label.

FDA

The recall was since expanded to include a whole and pre-cut cantaloupes and fruit distributed under the Rudy brand, along with Freshness Guaranteed and RaceTrac brand pre-cut cantaloupes. The number of Minnesotans sickened doubled from 13 last month to 26 in the Dec. 15 update.

Centers for Disease and Prevention

FDA

Friday’s update of the investigation says 302 people living in 42 states have become sick. The fourth person to die in connection to the outbreak resided in Oregon. Out of the 263 people with information available, 129 have been hospitalized.

CDC

Officials say the number of people sickened by consuming the recalled fruit product may be higher than what is reported since many people can recover from Salmonella without medical care and are not tested for the bacteria that causes the food-borne illness.

What You Should Do:

Do not eat any recalled cantaloupes and other fruit products. Throw them away or return them to where you bought them.

Wash items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled fruit using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these severe Salmonella symptoms: