(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

BY ADAM FALK
ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

Health officials say at least 13 people have died from crop of bad cantaloupes. The fruit, contaminated with bacteria listeria, has also caused 72 infections. Here’s CNN with more.

“The illness’ have been reported in 18 states from California to Maryland. Investigators say the source of the outbreak appears to be the Jensen Farms in the Rocky Ford region of Colorado.”

And the number of infections is expected to rise in the coming weeks, officials say. The New York Times explains this is what makes listeria one of the most dangerous food-borne illnesses.

“It can take more than two months for a person exposed to the bacteria to fall ill, which means that it is often difficult to identify a food that carried the pathogen. Unlike some other bacteria, listeria also grows well at low temperatures, meaning it can be difficult to eliminate from refrigerated areas used to process or store foods.”

Officials report listeria is most dangerous to the ederly, the very young, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems. Most of the deaths so far are from those more than 60 years old. KDVR shares one story.

REPORTER: “William Beach, an 87 year-old man with relatives here in Colorado. He collapsed in his Oklahoma home and died earlier this month from what health officals say was listeria.”
DEBBIE FREDERICK, BEACH’S DAUGHTER: “Listeria is a bacteria, and bacteria needs a proper environment to grow in. And they obviously provided it.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the illness is most commonly found in deli meat and soft cheeses, so how did it contaminate the cantaloupes? MSNBC says...   

“While it's not clear yet clear exactly how the cantaloupes became contaminated, the fruit is susceptible because of its rough, porous skin and soft, succulent interior. In addition, knives can carry bacteria from the outside of the melon into the flesh when they slice through.”

The FDA recommends consumers should rinse all produce under running water, and with firm produce, like cantaloupe, be sure to scrub the outside with a produce brush before cutting it up.

Transcript by Newsy.