Is this true? eating cantaloupes causing illness, listeria and even deaths!

Wow, a new food thread is currently making the round up. Eating cantaloupes causes illness, listeria and already over 16 people died.

How can this be?

Older adults, pregnant women, newborn children and adults with a weak immune systems are most sensitive to be hit harder by Listeriosis. The bacteria that carries the disease is more lethal than E. coli. Officials linked the current outbreak to Jensen Farms in Holly, Colorado. Tainted cantaloupes were distributed nationally between July 29 and September 10, with illnesses first reported on September 12.

The last time the US nation faced a Listeria outbreak was in 1998 when 21 deaths were linked to hot dogs and deli meat. In 1985, 52 people died from Listeria in cheese. The bacteria grows at room temperature and also chilly refrigerator temperatures. Victims of this outbreak are, on average, around 78 years old.

It is highly advised that potentially tainted cantaloupes should be thrown away and clean anything up which got in touch with the melon.