Salmonella outbreak in cantaloupes linked to 7 cases in DMV as numbers double: CDC

WASHINGTON (7News) — Federal health officials are continuing to urge caution while eating cantaloupe with reports that salmonella infections after eating the fruit doubled since a late November update, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) late Thursday night.

A recent strain of the bacteria found in the fruit has reportedly caused illness in 230 people from 38 states, with 113 of those cases since Nov. 30, according to the CDC report. Five cases have been reported in Virginia and two in Maryland. An additional death was also reported out of Oregon, officials said. Roughly two dozen people each either living in long-term care facilities or attending childcare centers have also reportedly gotten sick.

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More than half of all people who've caught the illness have been reportedly hospitalized.

CDC officials said the cause still seems to be whole or pre-cut cantaloupes used in now-recalled products from brands like Malichita or Ruby, though Sprouts, Trader Joe's, Kwik Trip, and many other brands have also issued recalls.

As a precaution, the agency is reminding people to not eat any recalled whole or pre-cut cantaloupes, and to avoid eating if the fruit altogether if you don't know the brand. Also ensure that surfaces or items that touched the contaminated cantaloupe have been washed with soapy water or a dishwasher.

For more information on what to do if you believe you've caught Salmonella, visit the CDC's Salmonella Questions and Answers page.