coloradolisteria.bmpThe Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has identified nine cases linked to a multi-state listeria outbreak. Preliminary results have identified cantaloupe as the likely source of the state’s listeria outbreak.

While the state initially reported 13 listeria cases, just nine of those cases are linked to the multi-state outbreak investigation, which includes two potentially-related cases in Texas and one in Nebraska. Colorado’s remaining four cases either have lab results pending or are not linked to the multi-state investigation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now is coordinating the multi-state investigation with affected states, the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Inspection Service. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also is working with local public health partners on the investigation.

All nine of Colorado’s confirmed cases consumed cantaloupe. No specific source of the product has been identified