Four Confirmed Dead In Cantaloupe Listeria Outbreak

Mary Clare Jalonick, Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Federal health authorities are confirming that four people have died in an outbreak of listeria traced to Colorado cantaloupes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Monday one death occurred in Colorado, one in Oklahoma and two in New Mexico.

9/16/2011 Related Story: Six Oklahomans Develop Listeriosis

The death count could still rise to six or higher. Chad Smelser of the New Mexico Department of Heath said the CDC is in the process of confirming two additional deaths linked to the outbreak in that state.

The CDC said 35 people in 10 states have been sickened in the outbreak so far. The illnesses have been traced to fruit from Jensen Farms in Holly, Colorado.

That company recalled its cantaloupes after the diseases were discovered.