State health officials are investigating two cases of salmonellosis linked to a regional outbreak of the disease involving pre-cut melon sold at Oregon and Washington grocery stores.
According to the Oregon Health Authority, the Oregon cases, one each in Multnomah and Wasco counties appear to be connected to an outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections that also involves 17 ill people in Washington. None of the Oregon cases were hospitalized.
Individuals who fell ill reported eating pre-cut cantaloupe or watermelon purchased at Kroger stores, including Fred Meyer and QFC, as well as Rosauers, Central Market and Winco stores in Washington and Oregon. Their symptoms occurred between Oct. 29 and Nov. 15.
The two Oregon cases reported purchasing products from Fred Meyer stores in Oregon. Federal regulatory officials are investigating to determine the origin of the Salmonella contamination. Public health officials in Oregon and Washington are advising people who purchased the products between Oct. 25 and Dec. 1 to immediately throw them away. Persons who ate the melon do not need to seek medical attention unless they become ill.
Each year, 400 to 500 cases of salmonellosis are reported in Oregon, including 15 cases of Salmonella Newport annually between 2006 and 2015. Testing of patients’ Salmonella strains by Oregon and Washington State Public Health Laboratories indicated a common origin for the Salmonella Newport strains in this outbreak.
For more information about Salmonella, visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/
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