1997 Outbreak of Salmonella Sephora Linked to Imported Mexican Cantaloupe
Twenty four persons were known to be infected with a genetically identical strain of Salmonella Saphra. A case control study implicated the consumption of cantaloupe as a risk for illness. A traceback identified one growing region in Mexico as a source of cantaloupe for 95% of the case-patients. Very few persons reported washing cantaloupe prior to cutting them.
- Outbreak began:
- February 1997
- Affected Country:
- US
- Affected States/Territories:
- California
- Organism(s):
-
- Salmonella
- Vehicle(s):
- Fruit, Cantaloupe
- Molecular Results Available:
- Yes
- Test Results:
- Unknown
- Location(s):
- Grocery Store, Restaurant
- Brand Name(s):
- Total ill:
- 24
- Number ill by Case Definition Known:
- Yes
- Number Laboratory Confirmed Cases:
- 24
- Number Probable Cases:
- 0
- Number Possible Cases:
- 0
- Anyone Hospitalized:
- Yes
- Number Hospitalized:
- 5
- Any Deaths:
- No
- Number Dead:
- 0
- Any References:
- Yes