Posted November 17, 2023
Fast Facts
Illnesses: 43
Hospitalizations: 17
Deaths: 0
States: 15
Recall: Yes
Investigation status: Active
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/sundsvall-11-23/index.html
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupes
Posted November 17, 2023
Fast Facts
Illnesses: 43
Hospitalizations: 17
Deaths: 0
States: 15
Recall: Yes
Investigation status: Active
Recalled Food Whole cantaloupes
November 17, 2023
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Sundsvall infections.
Epidemiologic and laboratory data show that cantaloupes are making people in this outbreak sick.
Epidemiologic Data
As of November 17, 43 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 15 states (see map). Illnesses started on dates ranging from October 17, 2023, to November 6, 2023 (see timeline). Of 30 people with information available, 17 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.
The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak (“n” is the number of people with information available for each demographic).
Demographics InformationTable of demographic information (n is the number of people with information available)
Age (n=43) Range from 1 to 100 years Median age of 62 years
Sex (n=43) 58% Female 42% Male
Race (n=33) 94% White 3% Asian 3% reported more than one race
Ethnicity (n=32) 81% non-Hispanic 19% Hispanic
State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 29 people interviewed, 15 (52%) reported eating cantaloupe. This percentage was significantly higher than the 19.6% of respondents who reported eating cantaloupe in the FoodNet Population Survey—a survey that helps estimate how often people eat various foods linked to diarrheal illness.
Laboratory Data
Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.
Canada is also investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes. The strain causing the outbreak in Canada is the same as the US outbreak strain. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency found Salmonella in a sample of Malichita brand cantaloupe, and WGS showed that the Salmonella on the cantaloupe is closely related genetically to the bacteria from sick people in Canada. This suggests that people in the Canadian and US outbreaks likely got sick from eating cantaloupe.
WGS analysis of bacteria from 41 people’s samples did not predict resistance to any antibiotics. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site.
Public Health Actions
On November 1, 2023, Malichita brand cantaloupes were recalled in Canada.
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupes
Posted November 17, 2023
Fast Facts
Illnesses: 43
Hospitalizations: 17
Deaths: 0
States: 15
Recall: Yes
Investigation status: Active
Recalled Food Whole cantaloupes
November 17, 2023
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Sundsvall infections.
Epidemiologic and laboratory data show that cantaloupes are making people in this outbreak sick.
Epidemiologic Data
As of November 17, 43 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 15 states (see map). Illnesses started on dates ranging from October 17, 2023, to November 6, 2023 (see timeline). Of 30 people with information available, 17 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.
The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak (“n” is the number of people with information available for each demographic).
Demographics InformationTable of demographic information (n is the number of people with information available)
Age (n=43) Range from 1 to 100 years Median age of 62 years
Sex (n=43) 58% Female 42% Male
Race (n=33) 94% White 3% Asian 3% reported more than one race
Ethnicity (n=32) 81% non-Hispanic 19% Hispanic
State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 29 people interviewed, 15 (52%) reported eating cantaloupe. This percentage was significantly higher than the 19.6% of respondents who reported eating cantaloupe in the FoodNet Population Survey—a survey that helps estimate how often people eat various foods linked to diarrheal illness.
Laboratory Data
Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.
Canada is also investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupes. The strain causing the outbreak in Canada is the same as the US outbreak strain. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency found Salmonella in a sample of Malichita brand cantaloupe, and WGS showed that the Salmonella on the cantaloupe is closely related genetically to the bacteria from sick people in Canada. This suggests that people in the Canadian and US outbreaks likely got sick from eating cantaloupe.
WGS analysis of bacteria from 41 people’s samples did not predict resistance to any antibiotics. More information is available at the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) site.
Public Health Actions
On November 1, 2023, Malichita brand cantaloupes were recalled in Canada.
On November 8, Trufresh recalled Malichita brand whole cantaloupes that were sold to US businesses between October 16 and October 23. On November 15, Trufresh expanded their recall to include additional whole cantaloupes.
Additional products containing Malichita brand cantaloupes were also recalled. On November 14, Vinyard Fruit and Vegetable Company recalled pre-cut fruit products and ALDI recalled [PDF – 2 pages] its whole cantaloupe, cantaloupe chunks, and pineapple spears.
CDC is advising people not to eat, sell, or serve recalled fruit.
Might have a sticker that says “Malichita”, “4050”, and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique”
Sold in many states between October 16 and October 23, 2023
See recall notice and expanded recall for more details
Vinyard brand pre-cut cantaloupes
Includes cantaloupe cubes, melon medleys, and fruit medleys
Sold in Oklahoma stores between October 30 and November 10, 2023
Most have a yellow label with “Vinyard,” and some have a red label with “Fresh”
See recall notice for product photos and more details
Additional products containing Malichita brand cantaloupes were also recalled. On November 14, Vinyard Fruit and Vegetable Company recalled pre-cut fruit products and ALDI recalled [PDF – 2 pages] its whole cantaloupe, cantaloupe chunks, and pineapple spears.
CDC is advising people not to eat, sell, or serve recalled fruit.
Might have a sticker that says “Malichita”, “4050”, and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique”
Sold in many states between October 16 and October 23, 2023
See recall notice and expanded recall for more details
Vinyard brand pre-cut cantaloupes
Includes cantaloupe cubes, melon medleys, and fruit medleys
Sold in Oklahoma stores between October 30 and November 10, 2023
Most have a yellow label with “Vinyard,” and some have a red label with “Fresh”
See recall notice for product photos and more details
ALDI whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products
Includes whole cantaloupes, cantaloupe chunks in clamshell packaging, and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging
Best-by dates between October 27 and October 31, 2023
Sold in ALDI stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin
See recall notice [PDF – 2 pages] for more details
Investigators are working to identify any additional cantaloupe products that may be contaminated.
Includes whole cantaloupes, cantaloupe chunks in clamshell packaging, and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging
Best-by dates between October 27 and October 31, 2023
Sold in ALDI stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin
See recall notice [PDF – 2 pages] for more details
Investigators are working to identify any additional cantaloupe products that may be contaminated.
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