More cantaloupes recalled as salmonella outbreak expands; four sick in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – An outbreak of salmonella has spread to more people, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

Officials said Friday that 28 more people have been hospitalized by the outbreak and that Minnesota has reported two deaths.

This brings the total number of sick people to 99 people in 32 states. That includes four people in Nebraska.

The outbreak was initially linked to whole and pre-cut cantaloupes and pre-cut fruit — now under recall — including Malichita brand whole cantaloupe, Vinyard brand pre-cut cantaloupe and Aldi whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products.

Health officials said the list of recalled brands has been expanded to include Rudy brand whole cantaloupes, as well as Freshness Guaranteed brand and RaceTrac brand pre-cut cantaloupes.

Officials are continuing to investigate additional cantaloupe products that may be contaminated.

The outbreak is also being investigated in Canada, where officials have also linked the same strain of illness to cantaloupes.

The CDC is warning consumers to not eat any of the recalled cantaloupe and other fruit products and urges that they be thrown away or returned if possible.

If you have had these products, officials also urge you to wash items to surfaces that may have come in contact with them using hot soapy water — or a dishwasher.

Finally, if you show any of the following severe symptoms, please contact your health care provider immediately:

• Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102 degrees
• Diarrhea for more than three days that is not improving
• Bloody diarrhea
• So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, such as:
  • Not urinating much
  • Dry mouth and throat
  • Feeling dizzy when standing up

Officials said that symptoms will normally present six hours to six days after consumption and that most people recover after about four to seven days.

Health officials warn that some people — especially children younger than 5, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems — may experience more severe illnesses that require medical treatment or hospitalization.

Additional information can be found on the CDC Q&A page.