The current Listeria outbreak in the USA is the third most deadly in that country's history and the deadliest in a decade.

The cantaloupes from Jensens Farms have been linked to the deaths of 13 people since the end of July and more than 70 are ill. It has spread across at least 18 states and is expected to increase as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) believes that there may be many of these fruit still in the fridges in homes across the country.

Listeria tends to target the vulnerable and the deaths in this outbreak are primarily amongst the elderly. One of the problems with this pathogen is that illness may not be seen for several weeks after it is consumed. This is another reason that the CD expects this outbreak to get larger in the next few weeks.

Listeria is comfortable growing at fridge temperatures and therefore the contaminated fruit being held in people's homes currently is indeed a huge potential problem.

The CD has not yet determined how this specific batch of fruit was contaminated but cantaloupes are susceptible to Listeria due to the nature of the skin and the soft fruit inside.

Listeria monocytogenes has been the cause of some of the deadliest or biggest food poisoning outbreaks in US history, including;

January 1985 -Mexican-style fresh cheese contaminated with Listeria caused 52 deaths, including many stillbirths (unknown number)

October 1998 -  Listeria-contaminated hot dogs and deli meats killed 21 people and 101 illnesses

May 2000 - Turkey deli meat tainted with Listeria caused seven deaths including three miscarriages or stillbirths and 29 illnesses

July 2002 - Sliced turkey and deli meat contaminated with Listeria caused eight deaths - including three stillbirths and 54 illnesses

October 2010 - Celery contaminated with Listeria  caused five deaths and sickened 10 people

And now the Cantaloupes of 2011.