Nationwide salmonella outbreak caused by pre-cut FRUIT sparks ‘concern’ at CDC – as number of hospitalizations rises to 61

A nationwide deadly food outbreak has health officials “concerned” after cases and hospitalizations rose again over the past week, including among children and the elderly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that the number of salmonella infections linked to melons and pre-cut fruit continues to rise.

There have been 117 cases reported in 34 states, including 61 hospitalizations. Minnesota also reported two deaths. The CDC also reported that 14 cases came from long-term care facilities, and seven were in children in child care.

The CDC urged people not to eat recalled melons or other fruit products and to wash objects and surfaces that could have touched the recalled fruit with hot soapy water (broth).

The CDC said, “CDC is concerned about this outbreak due to severe illness. Do not eat pre-cut melons if you do not know whether Malichita or Rudy brand melons have been used.'

'This includes melon slices and fruit mixes containing melons in restaurants and supermarkets.'

The affected products were sold at retail chains such as Kwik Trip, Kroger, Trader Joe's, Sprouts Farmers Market and Aldi.

All contaminated fruit has been recalled.

The agency urged people not to eat recalled melons or other fruit products and to wash objects and surfaces that could have touched the recalled fruit with hot, soapy water.

Customers should see their doctor if they experience diarrhea that lasts more than three days, fever, bloody stools or vomiting.

In an alert issued last week, the CDC said it had conducted interviews with sick people and analyzed test samples to confirm that the patients were sick with the same strain found in fruit.

The agency said the actual number of sick people is “likely much higher.”

Malichita and Rudy were two of the brands with contaminated products

Fruit from the Freshness Guaranteed and RaceTrac brands was sold in clear square or round plastic containers

Some pre-cut versions have a yellow label with 'Vinyard' and some have a red label with 'Fresh'

Salmonella bacteria are transmitted through the feces of humans or animals, and symptoms of infection usually begin between six hours and six days after exposure. They usually disappear within another four to seven days without the need for medical intervention.

Some people have no symptoms. However, the disease can sometimes be more serious and lead to hospitalization.

People with pre-existing medical conditions, weakened immune systems, children under 12 months of age, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to serious side effects – or even death.

In rare cases, a salmonella infection can cause the organism to enter the bloodstream and cause more serious illnesses, such as infections in the arteries, endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valve), and arthritis.

Salmonella infects more than 1.3 million people annually, leading to 26,500 hospital admissions and 420 deaths per year.

The CDC said the contaminated whole melons may have a sticker that reads “Malichita,” “4050” and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique.”

Some pre-cut versions have a yellow label with 'Vinyard' and some have a red label with 'Fresh'.

ALDI's melon pieces in clamshell packaging and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging were also affected.

Meanwhile, melon chunks, seasonal mixes, melon mixes and fruit mixes from the Freshness Guaranteed and RaceTrac brands were sold in clear square or round plastic containers.

The CDC said it will continue to investigate and identify other melons or cut fruits that may be contaminated.