Atlanta, GA – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the end of the cantaloupe salmonella outbreak that resulted in multiple deaths and hundreds of hospitalizations across the United States.
The outbreak, which was first reported in January 2024, affected people in multiple states, leading to widespread concern and investigations by health authorities. The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) worked together to determine the source of the salmonella contamination and advised the public to avoid consuming cantaloupe from identified regions.
According to the CDC, at least 272 people were hospitalized, and 20 deaths were reported due to the outbreak. The affected individuals ranged in age, with the elderly and those with weakened immune systems facing the highest risk of severe illness.
In response to the outbreak, health officials urged consumers and retailers to discard any cantaloupe grown in or shipped from the identified regions. The CDC also recommended thoroughly washing and sanitizing any surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated fruit.
While the specific source of the contamination was not disclosed in the CDC’s announcement, the agency declared that the outbreak was over, and the affected cantaloupe should no longer be available for sale.
The CDC’s declaration serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety and the collaboration between public health agencies and the food industry in addressing outbreaks and preventing future incidents.