Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Associated with Cantaloupe

An outbreak of listeriosis occurred in 2011, infecting at least 147 people in 28 states, and was associated with 33 deaths. Rapid investigation allowed the source to be pinpointed to cantaloupes produced at a specific farm. Listeria monocytogenes is an infrequent cause of bacterial foodborne illness but a leading cause of fatal foodborne infections in the United States, with an overall case fatality rate of 17% among patients with laboratory-confirmed infections. 1 – 3 Older adults, immunocompromised persons, pregnant women, and newborn infants have an increased risk of invasive listeriosis, characterized by bacteremia, meningitis, fetal loss, and death. 4 , 5 On average, two or three listeriosis outbreaks are reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) annually; reported outbreaks are often associated with unpasteurized dairy products or processed, ready-to-eat meats. 6 Although fresh produce is an uncommon cause . . .