By Bryan Thompson, Kansas Public Radio
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-986305.mp3
SALINA, Ks. – Federal health officials are advising consumers not to eat cantaloupe from the Rocky Ford region of Eastern Colorado. As Kansas Public Radio's Bryan Thompson explains, the melons could be contaminated with the potentially deadly bacteria known as Listeria.
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The CDC says at least 16 people in five states have been hospitalized with Listeria infections since mid August. One of them died.
Investigators have linked the outbreak to eating cantaloupes grown in the Rocky Ford area.
So far, no cases in Kansas have been linked to the outbreak, but suspected cases are being investigated in several states.
Jenson Farms of Holly, Colorado has voluntarily recalled their shipments of Rocky Ford cantaloupes because they could be contaminated.
17 states, including Kansas and Missouri, had received shipments of the melons.
Listeria is different than many other food borne bacteria because it can grow even in cold temperatures.
Senior citizens and anyone with a weakened immune system is most at risk.
Publish health officials, meanwhile, are reminding people about the importance of washing produce, including melons, before chowing down.
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