Indiana melons linked to US salmonella outbreak

Health officials in Indiana and Kentucky say they are investigating farms, distributors and retailers after an outbreak of salmonella that has sickened 150 people nationwide was linked to cantaloupe grown in the southwestern part of Indiana. Officials Friday advised all Indiana residents to discard cantaloupes purchased since July 7. The Kentucky Department of Public Health warned people not to eat cantaloupes grown in southwestern Indiana after tests found the fruit carried the same strain of salmonella that has killed two and sickened more than 50 in that state. Salmonella infections result in diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps and the illness usually lasts four to seven days. Health officials say most people recover without treatment but severe infections can occur in infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.