canteloupe linked to listeria - PG women avoid it!

CaseBride

NM DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Secretary Catherine Torres, MD
For Immediate Release:
September 12, 2011

Media Contact: Aimee Barabe
Phone: (505) 470-2290

New Mexico Department of Health Identifies Nine People with Listeria Infection
And Three Have Died

(Santa Fe) ? The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) has identified nine cases of
Listeria infection throughout the state with three of these cases resulting in death. Colorado
has also had a significant increase in cases of Listeria. Their preliminary results have identified
cantaloupe as the likely source of the Listeria outbreak. All 11 of Colorado?s confirmed cases
consumed cantaloupe. In New Mexico, all 9 patients had consumed cantaloupe. Other states
have also identified Listeria cases that are likely linked to this outbreak. New Mexico?s cases
are pending molecular fingerprinting laboratory tests at the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) to see if they are part of the same outbreak.
All of the ill people in New Mexico have been hospitalized, including the three fatalities. The
fatal cases were: a 93-year-old man from Bernalillo County, a 61-year-old female from Curry
County, and a 63-year-old man from Bernalillo County. The other hospitalized cases in New
Mexico come from Bernalillo, Chaves, Otero, De Baca, and Lea counties. The ill people range
in age from the 43 to 96 and include 4 men and 5 women. Illness onset ranges from August 20th
to early September.
?We extend our sympathy to the families and friends of those who have died from this
infection,? said Dr. Catherine Torres, Cabinet Secretary for DOH. ?At this time, based on the
preliminary findings in Colorado, we are cautioning people who are at high risk for Listeria
infection to avoid eating cantaloupe.?
CDC is coordinating the multistate investigation with affected states, the Food and Drug
Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture?s Food Safety Inspection Service.
DOH is working on the investigation with local public health partners and the New Mexico
Environment Department?s Environmental Health Bureau, which has already begun
investigating possible sources of the outbreak. Field inspectors have already begun to visit
distributors around the state to take samples for further analysis. No recalls have been issued
at this time.
Listeriosis, a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium
Listeria monocytogenes, is an important public health problem in the United States. The disease
primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune
systems. However, rarely, persons without these risk factors can also be affected. The risk may
be reduced by following a few simple recommendations.
It is important for people at high risk to follow the standard CDC guidance about Listeria.
People can decrease their risk of Listeria infection by avoiding: deli meats unless reheated to an
internal temperature of 165? F, refrigerated p?t? or meat spreads, refrigerated smoked seafood,
and soft cheeses such as queso fresco and brie unless they are made with pasteurized milk.
Eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon
but potentially fatal infection. Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever and muscle aches, and
also can include diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, confusion, and convulsions. Listeriosis also can

cause miscarriages and stillbirths.
Antibiotics given promptly can potentially cure the illness and prevent infection of a fetus.
Even with prompt treatment, some Listeria infections result in death. This is particularly likely
in older adults and in people with other serious medical problems.
For more information, contact DOH Epidemiology Department at (505) 827-0006 or visit the
CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/divisions/dfbmd/diseases/listeriosis/.
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Aimee Barabe
Public Information Officer
New Mexico Department of Health
aimee.barabe@state.nm.us
Office: 505.827.2619
Cell: 505.470.2290
Fax: 505.827.2530