An outbreak of Salmonella serogroup saphra due to cantaloupes from Mexico

An outbreak of Salmonella serogroup Saphra (S. saphra) infections was studi ed by laboratory-based surveillance, case-control and trace-back studies, a nd a survey of cantaloupe preparation practices. Twenty-four patients with S. saphra infections had illness onsets between 23 February and 15 May 1997 ; 75% were less than or equal to 6 years old; 23% were hospitalized, Case p atients were more likely than controls to have consumed cantaloupe (88% vs, 45%; matched odds ratio [MOR], 15.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7-139 ) and precut cantaloupe (59% vs. 19%; MOR, 14.5; 95% CI, 1.6-128), The trac e-back study identified 1 growing region in Mexico as the source of cantalo upes for 95% of the patients who ate cantaloupes, Only 17% of case patients washed cantaloupes before cutting them. This outbreak is another example o f gastrointestinal disease in the United States associated with imported co ntaminated produce. Consumers and retailers should wash cantaloupes before cutting them; there should be international efforts to ensure food safety.