First Iowa case of listeria reported

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has reported the state’s first illness linked to the multistate outbreak of listeriosis associated with cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, Colo.

An adult Northwest Iowa female has recovered from the infection. The woman was pregnant when she became ill and suffered a miscarriage. No other illnesses associated with the outbreak have been reported in Iowa. The woman had eaten cantaloupe purchased at an Iowa store.

“While Jensen Farms has issued a voluntary recall of its Rocky Ford-brand cantaloupes, and the recalled items should be off store shelves, more illness may be reported because it can take up to two months for a person to develop listeriosis after eating contaminated food,” said IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk.

Listeriosis is a bacterial infection. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhea. Healthy adults and children occasionally get infected with Listeria, but rarely become seriously ill. Pregnant women, however, are about 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to get listeriosis. Older adults, newborns and adults with weakened immune systems are also in a high risk group. If you develop fever and chills while pregnant or if you are very sick with fever and muscle aches or stiff neck, consult your health care provider immediately.