Jensen Farms Listeria Link Confirmed

Laboratory results provide a direct Listeria link from Jensen Farms cantaloupe to patients.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s state lab have confirmed a direct link between human cases in the Listeria outbreak and the cantaloupe labeled as “Rocky Fords” from Jensen Farms in Holly.

Cantaloupe samples from the refrigerator of a Listeria patient’s home, as well as samples obtained from various retail outlets last week, have the same DNA fingerprints as the Listeria that has infected 12 Colorado residents.

All of the Listeria-positive cantaloupe samples at this time appear to have been grown at Jensen Farms.

A total of 12 cases in Colorado are linked to the outbreak, including one death. At least 22 people in seven states have been infected with the bacteria as of Sept. 14.

Jensen Farms voluntarily recalled its cantaloupe on Wednesday.

Dr. Chris Urbina, chief medical officer and executive director of the department advises that individuals at high risk for listeriosis should not eat cantaloupe if they know it’s from Jensen Farms. He also says that any cantaloupe is safe to eat for those who are not in the high-risk category.

Those at high risk for listeriosis are pregnant women, people age 60 and older or those who have weakened immune systems from transplants, certain chronic diseases, or immunosuppressive therapies or medications, Colorado officials said.

Symptoms of the illness can include fever and muscle aches as well as diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, confusion and convulsions, Colorado officials said. The disease can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, state officials said.