Cantaloupe sickens people across Indiana

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Health officials in Indiana are advising people to throw out cantaloupes because of a salmonella outbreak.

Any cantaloupe purchased July 7 or after could be affected. As of Friday, 14 Hoosiers had been infected because of bacteria in the melons, and there are 150 reported cases nationwide.

Farms, distributors and retailers in southwest Indiana are being investigated as possible sources of the issues. Kentucky is also investigating, as the state has 50 of its own cases of cantaloupe-linked salmonella.

People infected may have symptoms included diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. The illness could last four to seven days, according to the state health department. Serious illness is possible, particularly in the elderly, infants and people with weakened immune systems.

"Anyone experiencing symptoms and who feels they may have eaten a contaminated cantaloupe should contact their health care provider," said Dr. Gregory Larkin, Indiana’s state health commissioner, in a news release. "We are seeing cases in Indiana and our neighbor to the south, Kentucky, has seen many more cases and has experienced two deaths related to this outbreak.