The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting 60 cases from five states– Illinois (6), Indiana (11), Michigan (32), Missouri (10), and Ohio (1). The CDC investigation indicates pre-cut melons, including fruit salads, are a likely source of this multistate outbreak.

Image/CDC
Image/CDC

Thirty-one people have been hospitalized. The CDC has indicated there have been more hospitalizations with this outbreak than what is typically seen. No deaths have been reported.

Most people bought pre-cut melon at Walmart or Kroger stores in the Midwest. On June 7, 2018, Walmart and Kroger removed pre-cut melon linked to this outbreak from all Walmart, Kroger, Jay C, and Payless stores from the affected states.

“The Illinois Department of Public Health is urging people not to eat pre-cut melon purchased from any Walmart store in Illinois, or any of the other affected states, at this time,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “If you have recently purchased pre-cut melon from Walmart, throw it out. If you have recently eaten pre-cut melon from a Walmart store and experience diarrhea, fever, and cramps, contact your health care provider.”

The CDC says if you purchased pre-cut melon from Walmart stores in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, or Ohio, you should not eat it. Throw it away.

If you purchased pre-cut melon from Kroger, Jay C, or Payless stores in Indiana or Michigan, you should not eat it. Throw it away.

This advice includes fruit salad mixes with melon, but does not include whole melon.

Most people affected by Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after eating food contaminated by the bacteria. The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without treatment. However, diarrhea for some people may be so severe that they need to be hospitalized. The elderly, infants, and those with compromised immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.