3 Minnesotans sick from Salmonella outbreak in cantaloupe

3:40 PM, Aug 17, 2012   |    comments
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Health officials in Indiana and Kentucky say they are investigating farms, distributors and retailers after an outbreak of salmonella that has killed two and sickened at least 150 people nationwide was linked to cantaloupe grown in southwestern Indiana.

Minnesota Department of Health officials say at least three Minnesotans are included in that group.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says illnesses in at least two people in Wisconsin are also tied to the Salmonella outbreak.

Officials Friday advised all Indiana residents to discard cantaloupes purchased since July 7.

The Kentucky Department of Public Health warned people not to eat cantaloupes grown in southwestern Indiana after tests found the fruit carried the same strain of salmonella that has killed two and sickened more than 50 in that state.

MDH officials say the three Minnesotans sickened reported eating cantaloupe during the week prior to becoming ill between July 18 and 26.

Two of the cases in Minnesota were adults over the age of 70 while the third was a child, the MDH says. Additionally, two of the cases involved Twin Cities residents and the third lived outside the metro area.

Salmonella infections result in diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps and it usually lasts four to seven days. Health officials say most people recover without treatment, but severe infections can occur in infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

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