With the news of the Listeria outbreak here in Colorado, and adjoining states, many people are wondering what they can do to protect themselves from this serious disease. We’ve already had two deaths and at least fourteen taken ill here in Colorado alone.



Fortunately, we have the experts at Colorado State University to give us tips to stay safe.This information is provided by Extension food safety experts in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition.

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Symptoms of listeriosis

Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever and muscle aches as well as diarrhea, headache, stiff neck, confusion and convulsions. Listeriosis also can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

Protect yourself from contamination when preparing melons

- Always wash hands and utensils (knives and cutting boards) before and after handling melons.

- Wash the outside of the melon with a clean vegetable brush under cool running water. Blot the melon dry with clean paper towels.

- Place the washed melon on a clean cutting board. Cut about one inch off the stem end with a clean knife. Position the melon on the cutting board with the cut end facing down. With a clean knife, slice melon vertically in half. Wash the knife. Scrape the seeds out with a clean spoon. Continue to cut the melon into slices or as desired.

- Refrigerate cut melon at 41 degrees or colder.

- Discard any cut melon that has been kept at room temperature for more than four hours.

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