Listeria outbreak

The cause of the deadly outbreak of listeria from Jensen Farms cantaloupes will soon be detailed in a report issued by the Food and Drug Administration, according to recent news sources.

The outbreak was the deadliest in decades, killing 23 and sickening 116 others. Illnesses were reported in 25 different states.

The report will detail the “root cause” of the listeria outbreak. While no listeria germs were reported to be found on the farm where the cantaloupes were grown, the bacteria was found at the packing facility in Granada, Colorado.

The report released by the FDA will show the cause of the outbreak and also show how to avoid such outbreaks in the future.

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause potentially life-threatening infection. Especially at risk are the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. As a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, I hope that no one else will be sickened by the contaminated fruit. However, I also know that Listeria has an incubation period, and those who consume it can be affected up to four weeks after eating it. Please seek immediate medical attention if you experience the symptoms of Listeria infection. If you or someone you know has suffered as a result of eating this contaminated food, I advise that you contact a product liability lawyer as soon as possible.

In an update of the deadliest food-borne illness outbreak in the United States in decades, 100 have fallen sick and 18 have died as a result of consuming contaminated cantaloupes, according to recent news sources.

The illnesses stemmed from cantaloupes from Jensen Farms in Colorado that were infected with Listeria monocytogenes. All illnesses were reported on or after July 31, 2011.

The deaths were reported in these states: 5 in New Mexico, 5 in Colorado, 2 in Kansas, 2 in Texas, and 1 each in Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.

Those sickened involved the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Listeria contamination can cause serious infection that is especially dangerous to the very young, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. It has an incubation period of up to four weeks, so those infected may not know it at the time of consumption.

As a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, consumer health is something that I am very conscious of and I know that even with tough rules and regulations on manufacturers, mistakes can still be made. I encourage anyone who is experiencing the symptoms of food poisoning to seek immediate medical attention. The product liability lawyer at our law firm sincerely hope that no one has been sickened by consuming the recalled fruit.

Health officials are saying that the Listeria outbreak that has killed 16 people and sickened 72 may continue to cause illness, according to recent news sources.

The bacteria, which has caused the deadliest food-borne illness outbreak in this country in over a decade, has an incubation period that can last up to four weeks, and sometimes longer. Someone that ate a contaminated piece may not get sick until a month after he or she consumed it.

The cantaloupes were distributed on September 10 and have a shelf life of around two weeks. Officials expect to see more cases through October.

The fruit affected is from Jensen Farms in Colorado and was shipped to 25 different states at least. If you are not sure where cantaloupe is from, it’s best not to eat it.

The recalled cantaloupes may be labeled “Colorado Grown,” `’Distributed by Frontera Produce,” `’Jensenfarms.com” or “Sweet Rocky Fords.”

Listeria monocytogenes is most dangerous to the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems.

As a Los Angeles personal injury attorney, I advise everyone to throw out cantaloupe if you don’t know the origin. Listeria can grow at refrigerated temperatures as well. In my experience as a product liability lawyer, I’ve seen many food-borne illness outbreaks, though none as deadly as this one. If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of infection, I encourage you to visit a doctor as soon as possible.