Health Officials: Don't Eat Cantaloupes Grown In Southwestern Indiana
By: Kayla Moody
Updated: August 17, 2012
Indiana and Kentucky health officials are warning people not to eat any cantaloupes grown in southwestern Indiana. The warning comes after Salmonella was found in melons. The Salmonella outbreak started in the beginning of July, but health officials say recent tests results show melons are still contaminated, meaning the outbreak is ongoing.
Officials say contaminated melons are associated with at least two deaths, and responsible for sickening 50 Kentuckians and 14 Hoosiers. Consumers are being advised to throw away any cantaloupes purchased from July 7 th to present -- a warning that some produce farmers say is too broad.
"We haven't had any complaints. We were tested. Our cantaloupes were tested by the health department, so I think that's a bit extreme to say don't buy any," says Laura Ritter, whose family owns Ritter Farms in Owensville, Ind.
Ritter and several other produce farmers tell Eyewitness News they hope health officials close-in on the Salmonella source soon, rather than labeling the entire region contaminated. Health officials say they are working to locate the source of the contamination.
The Indiana State Department of Health says most people infected with Salmonella show symptoms 12 to 72 hours after being infected. Those symptoms typically include of diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Symptoms from the illness last around four to seven days. ISDH says most people recover from Salmonella without treatment, but some people require hospitalization from severe diarrhea. Elderly people, babies, and those with low immune systems are most likely to suffer severe illness after being infected with Salmonella.
Officials say contaminated melons are associated with at least two deaths, and responsible for sickening 50 Kentuckians and 14 Hoosiers. Consumers are being advised to throw away any cantaloupes purchased from July 7 th to present -- a warning that some produce farmers say is too broad.
"We haven't had any complaints. We were tested. Our cantaloupes were tested by the health department, so I think that's a bit extreme to say don't buy any," says Laura Ritter, whose family owns Ritter Farms in Owensville, Ind.
Ritter and several other produce farmers tell Eyewitness News they hope health officials close-in on the Salmonella source soon, rather than labeling the entire region contaminated. Health officials say they are working to locate the source of the contamination.
The Indiana State Department of Health says most people infected with Salmonella show symptoms 12 to 72 hours after being infected. Those symptoms typically include of diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Symptoms from the illness last around four to seven days. ISDH says most people recover from Salmonella without treatment, but some people require hospitalization from severe diarrhea. Elderly people, babies, and those with low immune systems are most likely to suffer severe illness after being infected with Salmonella.
