The local public health department in the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency is closely following the unfolding outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes linked to the voluntary recall of whole cantaloupes from Jensen Farm, Colorado (see FDA information).
No cases of Listeria have been reported in San Diego, since July 31, 2011, and no cantaloupes under the recall for this outbreak were distributed to California.
As of September 28, 2011, the CDC has reported 72 illnesses and 16 deaths from 18 states associated with the four outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes. Although one case has been reported from California, CDPH has investigated this single case report and there is no evidence that cantaloupes under this recall were consumed.
Clinicians are reminded that Listeria infections are reportable and may be associated with a variety of clinical syndromes, from gastrointestinal illness, to meningitis, to miscarriages.
In San Diego, cases have been traced in the past to the consumption of unpasteurized milk products, in particular imported Mexican cheeses such as Queso Fresco. The CDC website has general information about Listeria and updates about the ongoing outbreak.
