Recently, the news was full of reports of a new food-borne illness outbreak related to cantaloupes. Since then, as officials predicted, the news has only gotten worse. As of late October, 133 people have been affected by the food poisoning outbreak, including 28 deaths. Additionally, one woman who was pregnant at the time of the illness had a miscarriage.
What is Listeria?
Miscarriages are among the most severe hazards associated with the illness, which is caused by bacteria known as listeria. When the bacteria are consumed they become parasites that feed on human cells. Some people may experience only mild flu-like stomach problems. But the real danger comes in those instances when bacteria move from the gut to the bloodstream. Once listeria enters the bloodstream, more serious symptoms, such as fever, confusion and vomiting may result. Later, as bacteria affect the brain and lymph nodes, encephalitis and meningitis are possible. If caught early enough, it can be treated with strong antibiotics, but a long hospital stay is likely.
The listeria bacteria are usually found in nature, feeding on decaying plant life. It can also live in the guts of cattle and poultry, and thus can be spread through animal waste or through exposure of plants to soil or other natural organic matter that contains the bacteria. Thus the key to avoiding exposure is to thoroughly clean any fruits or vegetables before eating.
Ironically, it may be cleaning processes at the packing plant that are to blame for the outbreak. The tainted cantaloupes, from Jensen Farms in Colorado, were washed using a water solution that was not treated with an anti-microbial agent to kill bacteria. Although the water was clean, it allowed the bacteria to spread from one melon to the next. The plant had recently been inspected by a third-party auditing firm which found Jensen's safety measures to be excellent.
As would be expected, a number of lawsuits have been filed in the wake of the outbreak - with some victims even contemplating a suit against the company that inspected the plant.
More than a quarter of a million cases of cantaloupes were shipped by Jensen to at least 17 states, including Utah, during the time of the outbreak. If you or anyone you know has suffered an illness that could be related to the tainted cantaloupes, talk to an experienced personal injury attorney, who can advise you on your legal rights and help obtain compensation for any medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering you may have experienced.
