Cantaloupe salmonella outbreak hits Wisconsin; at least 4 infected with 2 hospitalized

At least four people in four counties have become ill, two of them hospitalized, after contracting salmonella linked to fresh and frozen cantaloupe, according to a statement released Monday by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

The state did not specify the Wisconsin counties.

Several cantaloupes and cantaloupe-containing products have been recalled recently due to suspicion of salmonella contamination. Products include:

• Whole fresh cantaloupes with a label that says “Malichita,” “4050” and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique” sold between Oct. 16 and Oct. 23.
• ALDI cantaloupe, cut cantaloupe, and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging with best-by dates between Oct. 27 and Oct. 31.

Anyone who purchased recalled cantaloupe products is advised to not eat them and to throw them away along with any food that may be packaged with the cantaloupe (for example: fruit salad). This includes any fresh fruit that was frozen for later use.

Wisconsin is one of 15 states with 43 total people infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state health department, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection and local health departments are working together to investigate the multistate salmonella outbreak.

More:At least 17 people hospitalized with salmonella in outbreak linked to cantaloupe recall

Signs and symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting that lasts for several days. If you ate any recalled cantaloupe and are experiencing symptoms of salmonellosis, contact a doctor right away.

You can find updates and additional information about the investigation on the DHS Outbreaks in Wisconsin. For free, confidential support finding a doctor or other health care provider near you, dial 211, or 877-947-2211, or text your ZIP code to 898-211. Find resources online at 211Wisconsin.org.