Woman eats contaminated melon, dies

[ECH, M.D.]

>
>
WANTED TO SHARE THIS BIT OF INFORMATION WITH EVERYONE WHO ENJOYS EATING TROPICAL FRUITS ESPECIALLY IN THE ISLAND.

Woman eats contaminated melon, dies
>
>
> ASSOCIATED PRESS
>
> May 17, 2001
>
>
> RIVERSIDE, CA -- A Riverside woman died of salmonella poisoning after eating a
> contaminated cantaloupe, according to state health officials. Seventeen
> other people, including one from San Diego, became ill after they also ate
> contaminated melons between April 6 and April 24, said state Health Director
> Diana M. Bonta.
>
> The source of contamination -- from bacteria known as Salmonella poona --
> wasn't immediately determined.
>
> "Contamination can occur when a consumer cuts through a cantaloupe rind that
> has not been scrubbed with a brush under cool, running water immediately
> before eating," Bonta said.
>
> Cantaloupes grow on soil and their rinds can become contaminated by human or
> animal fecal matter. Bonta said most of the 17 who fell ill ate whole,
> store-bought melons, while some consumed pre-cut cantaloupes or were served
> the fruit in restaurants.

 

[linds]

I work as an environmental health officer in the UK. It is rare to investigate such cases within the UK of s.poona. It is worth jogging our memories especially as the summer months approach that this particular strain of salmonella can be fatal.

Regards

Lindsey

 

[Sean]

I also work as an environmental health specialist dealing with issues of food/water safety in the US. We constantly see reports of salmonella popping up from contaminated fruits and vegetables. Be also aware that these same food items are capable of carrying the same strain of E. coli normally associated with illnesses from undercooked hamburgers. This is definitely something I keep in mind when travelling.

 

[christy]

DR green leafy veggies returned from Puerto Rico

DR1 reports that the green leafy veggies have some sort of contamination that has them being sent back to DR from Puerto Rico. That in order to solve this problem expensive antifungal spraying needs to take place. BUT...what about those of us who are buying cabbage on sale right now (for some reason!?!?!?)and eatting it unknowingly? Should we be avoiding these products altogether or is cleansing good enough?

 

[John]

thanks for the post,we always washed fruits avd veggies,but not something like a cantaloupe because of it being a fruit you eat the inside of.never though about the knife cutting through.i'm sure we are not the only ones,hope they heed your post because we are.

 

[hlywud]

Re: DR green leafy veggies "Plantain not cabbage"

Here is a good website that describes "Black Sigatoka", remedies and controls.Lots of interesting reading.

 

[linds]

Sean,

drop me an e-mail, I'm interested to know how environmental health is enforced in the US and any useful websites.

Cheers

Linzy