The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared the Salmonella Newport outbreak caused by melons to be over.
The institution had not previously reported an outbreak to the general public.
The outbreak has infected at least 70 people in 25 states. It is likely that many more people were infected in this outbreak because some people did not receive treatment and others were not specifically tested for salmonella. For every confirmed person, there are up to 29 more cases, according to the CDC.
The Salmonella Newport strain involved in the outbreak was linked to cantaloupes imported from Guatemala by Ayco Farms Inc. of Pompano Beach, Florida, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
Once Ayco Farms was identified as a co-supplier, the FDA worked with the company to ensure its products were available to customers. Although the imported cantaloupes are past their expiration date and will likely no longer be on the market, Ayco Farms has initiated a recall to ensure downstream customers no longer process and extend the shelf life of the affected cantaloupes.
According to the FDA, there appears to be no ongoing risk to public health and it does not recommend that consumers generally avoid cantaloupes.
As part of the outbreak investigation, the FDA issued Import Alert 99-35 to Ayco San Jorge Y Compania Limitada and Agrobassy Y Cia Ltda, resulting in automatic detention of melons from these companies without physical examination.
None of these companies’ products may enter U.S. commerce until the companies demonstrate that they have overcome the violations that led to this action. The FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
