CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (AP) -- Health officials in western New York say a person has died of listeria infection, the first death in the state linked to tainted cantaloupes from Colorado.
The Ontario County Public Health Department didn't release any other details, except to describe the patient as an older person with underlying health problems.
Listeria infections can kill young children or frail people. Symptoms include fever, headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Federal officials say Friday the nationwide listeria outbreak is now responsible for 21 deaths and 109 illnesses.
On Thursday, Depew distributor Fruit Fresh Up Inc. recalled 4,800 packages containing cantaloupe sold in western New York between Aug. 31 and Sept. 11 because of possible contamination. It wasn't clear if the Ontario County death was linked to that fruit.
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