The number of deaths (about two percent of identified victims in the Cantaloupe salmonella outbreak), as well as the high hospitalization rate (nearly 50% of identified victims in the Cantaloupe salmonella outbreak) is indicative of a strain of salmonella that is quite severe. But it could get even worse, says Ron Simon, the Cantaloupe salmonella lawyer who has filed a number of lawsuits recently. This outbreak spans over two-thirds of the United States and Canada, and is still growing rapidly as new cases are identified (following positive stool cultures). Among the most heavily impacted states are Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and Arizona. But the cantaloupes were widely distributed and have hit nearly every region of the U.S., including at least 32 states.
What to do? Avoiding cantaloupes may be prudent, says Ron Simon, but may not be completely necessary. According to the FDA, the impacted cantaloupes include ” whole melons from Crown Jewels Produce in boxes labeled “Malachita/Z Farms” or from Sofia Produce doing business as TruFresh in boxes labeled “Malichita” or “Rudy.” But, caution requires more, says Simon: “because many stores take cantaloupes and slice them up, serve them in the store, or repackage them, so its not always easy to tell where the cantaloupe came from.” He warns consumers to avoid all cantaloupes unless certain they are not from the implicated sources.
When is doubt, avoid them.
Why? Because this outbreak is a serious, deadly one. “We will use a cantaloupe salmonella lawsuit to find out how the contamination happened, if possible, and what can be done to prevent something like this from happening again” says Simon, noting this is not the first time he has been forced to file a cantaloupe salmonella lawsuit or even a lawsuit in a deadly cantaloupe outbreak.
“Our hearts and prayers go out the victims in this outbreak” said Simon, noting “unfortunately, I do not think we have seen the end of the harm an outbreak like this can cause. But my firm will continue to fight on behalf of the victims, and help them recover from such a serious illness.”
