Rapidly-spreading Salmonella outbreak reaches Alaska

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) – An Alaska resident was diagnosed with Salmonella around November 28, the first identified Alaskan case in an outbreak that has been reaching across the nation.

117 people from 34 states have gotten sick from this particular strain of Salmonella, and 61 are currently hospitalized. Two people in Minnesota have died.

On November 17 the Center for Disease Control (CDC) first announced a multi-state outbreak they were investigating, which had been linked to cantaloupes. Malichita and Rudy brand cantaloupes are recalled, along with any pre-cut fruit products that might have been made with Malichita or Rudy cantaloupes.

The CDC urges Americans to avoid any pre-cut cantaloupes if you are not sure what brand they were.

The CDC says they are concerned about this outbreak because is causing severe illness, especially in the very young and the elderly. 14 sick people resided in long-term care facilities and seven children attended childcare centers before they got sick. 50 percent of those who have gotten sick are over 65 years of age, and 29 percent are five years old or younger.

The Midwest states have been hit the hardest, with 14 cases in Minnesota, 10 in Wisconsin, nine in Missouri, eight in Ohio, and six in Illinois.

If you have any of the recalled items, throw them away or return them to the store. Then wipe down anything they may have touched with hot, soapy water. The CDC reminds people that washing the contaminated fruit will not make it safe to eat.

Call your healthcare provider if you have any of these severe Salmonella symptoms:

• Diarrhea and a fever higher than 102°F
• Diarrhea for more than 3 days that is not improving
• Bloody diarrhea
• So much vomiting that you cannot keep liquids down
• Signs of dehydration, such as: Not peeing much, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up.

Salmonella symptoms usually start to show themselves from six hours to six days after swallowing the bacteria.

Canada is also investigating this outbreak and has linked several cases to Malichita brand cantaloupes.

More information can be found on the CDC’s current outbreak website.

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