OTTUMWA -- For the Facebook story of the day our fans wanted to know more about the Listeria outbreak from cantaloupes that have killed at least 13 people while getting more than 70 sick.
The tainted cantaloupes come from the Jensen Farm in Colorado and it’s being called the most fatal U.S. outbreak of food-borne illness since 1998. As of Thursday afternoon there were no cases reported in Wapello county or the surrounding areas.
KTVO spoke with Lynelle Diers of Wapello county public health Thursday. She says the best way to avoid being sick is to clean the cantaloupes in your home before eating.
“Cantaloupe is grown on the soil and the soil is known for a lot of different bacteria, so therefore you need to wash the cantaloupe on the outside really well,” Diers said. “They even suggested a toothbrush to scrub the cracks and crevices because when you cut into it. That's how you contaminate the inside of the cantaloupe."
Any vegetable or fruit can grown on the ground can get Listeria. You can only get Listeria by eating contaminated foods not by touching them. The most common people who can get sick from food-borne illnesses are the elderly, people with immune disorders and pregnant women.
Diers added that no matter what it’s important to store your fruits and vegetables at proper temperatures after grocery shopping.
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