Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Associated With Jensen Farms Cantaloupe—United States, August—September 2011

Listeriosis is caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a gram-positive bacillus common in the environment and acquired by humans primarily through consumption of contaminated food. Infection causes a spectrum of illness, ranging from febrile gastroenteritis to invasive disease, including sepsis and meningoencephalitis. On Sep 2, 2011, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) notified CDC of seven cases of listeriosis reported since Aug 28. By Sep 6, all seven Colorado patients interviewed with the Listeria Initiative questionnaire reported eating cantaloupe in the month before illness began, and three reported eating cantaloupe marketed as "Rocky Ford." Here, Cosgrove et al look at the case of a multistate outbreak of listeriosis associated with Jensen Farms cataloupe in the US from August to Sep 2011.