Is Listeria Outbreak a Concern for Ohioans?

It’s a story that has made national headlines, The deadly Listeria outbreak from cantaloupes grown at a Colorado farm that has sickened dozens of people and killed at least 15.

Muskingum County OSU Extension Educator Mark Mechling says Listeria is a rare bacterial disease that can be found in farm crops. Though Listeria outbreaks are rare with this case only stemming from one farm, it is still a very serious issue.

"I would make the presumption that whoever is purchasing cantaloupes for grocery stores and retail establishments would be very well aware of that particular farm and would recognize that they would not be selling those particular cantaloupe," said Mechling.

Mechling says the outbreak shouldn’t deter you from eating fruits and vegetables, but pay closer attention to where they are coming from.

"It’s kind of a theme we’ve always preached in extension, and so buying locally and talking to that farmer and asking them what their growing practices are and their management practices are always part of some of that give and take between the consumer and farmer," added Mechling.

According to the FDA, shipments of the cantaloupes may have been indirectly sent to Ohio from July to early September though no known illnesses or deaths have been reported.

Symptoms of Listeria include nausea, headache, muscle aches, and diarrhea. People most susceptible to contracting the disease include those with compromised immune systems including children and pregnant women.