Since July 2011 , a far-flung outbreak of thefood - borne illnesslisteriosis has occurred in 19 states . Eighty - four mass have been affect and 15 death have been report , according to the most recent Center for Disease Control update on Sept. 29 , 2011 . This disease , get by the bacteriumListeria monocytogene , was traced back to the Rocky Fordcantaloupesof Jensen Farms , a class - owned farm in Holly , Colo. , just outside Denver . Jensen Farms released a voluntary statement on Sept. 14 , 2011 , call up the melon .
While the current listeriosis outbreak is one of the worst cases the U.S. has experienced in late history — the last major outbreak occurred in 2002 and resulted in 54 illness and 8 deaths — the bacteria is fairly common . It can be find oneself on farm , in parks and woodland , and in other places throughout the environment , says Jeff LeJeune , DVM , professor in the Food Animal Health Research Program at Ohio State University ’s Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center . It ’s particularly combat-ready , however , on farm with ruminant animals , likesheeporcattle , disregarding of the farm ’s size .
LeJeune and a team of researchers published a study in the January 2010 issue of the diary Foodborne Pathogens and Disease that examinedL. monocytogenecontamination in rural homes .
“ One of our finish was to see if we could slough Light Within on howListeriaenters homes and if ruminant - farm households were at enceinte peril for contamination , ” LeJeune say .
The written report showed thatL. monocytogeneshad a 54 - percent chance of appearing in rural farm homes , nearly twice that of their non - farm twin .
A fairly hardy bacteria , L. monocytogenescan be found in soil , water , sewerage and crumble plant material , according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension website . Although the bacterium can be vote out with heat , it thrives in moist areas and on stainless steel and chalk , and unlike a lot of food - borne pathogen , it can grow under refrigeration .
Typically associated with processed pith and cheeses , L. monocytogenescan be found on a diversity of rude vegetables , including sprouts , potatoes , tomatoesand leafy greens , as well as in unpasteurizedmilk . Often animals and humans can be carriers of the bacteria without displaying any symptoms of listeriosis , LeJeune say . However , when condition are just right , illness can occur .
Disease results , he enjoin , when an at - risk mortal ( typically meaning mothers , youthful children , the elderly and those with compromise immune systems ) ingests a tumid enough number of a specific strain of the bacterium capable of causing the disease . Symptoms of listeria meningitis include flu - same symptoms and can move on into a more severe infection of the anxious system , induce headache , discombobulation , loss of counterpoise and convulsion .
But a farm house can take steps to ensure their farm does n’t put their family and others at risk of infection of contracting the disease . LeJeune offers these bakshish :
“ Farmer working with brute , in particular dairy cattle , need to take guard not to carry contamination into the household , ” adds Lydia Medeiros , a nutrient condom researcher at OARDC , who worked with LeJeune on the report . “ article of clothing and horseshoe worn alfresco need to stay alfresco . ”
For the latest updates on the current listeriosis outbreak , bring down the Center for Disease Control’sListeriosis Web pageboy .
