In a tragic turn of events, a salmonella outbreak linked to tainted cantaloupes has caused a number of deaths in both the United States and Canada. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirmed on Thursday that three Americans have lost their lives as a result of the outbreak, while in Canada, the Public Health Agency reported a total of five deaths.

Health agencies in both countries have identified the "Malichita" or "Rudy" brand cantaloupes as the potential source of the illnesses. It is believed that at least four suppliers have distributed these contaminated fruits.

In response to the outbreak, numerous recalls have been issued due to salmonella concerns. The recalls include whole cantaloupes from the "Malichita" and "Rudy" brands, as well as products made from the potentially affected fruit, as stated by the FDA.

To ensure public safety, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning, advising people not to consume pre-cut cantaloupes without knowing whether they are from the "Malichita" or "Rudy" brands. They also urge people to avoid any recalled whole or pre-cut cantaloupe products.

As of Thursday, the FDA and the Public Health Agency of Canada reported a total of 230 cases in the US and 129 cases in Canada, associated with the salmonella outbreak.

The United States has seen illnesses reported in 38 different states, with 96 individuals requiring hospitalization, according to the CDC. Meanwhile, in Canada, 44 of those affected have been hospitalized. The majority of cases in Canada involve children aged five and younger or adults aged 65 and older, as stated by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The outbreak has spread across multiple provinces in Canada including British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

The FDA has previously stated that the CDC and Canada have been investigating two strains of salmonella linked to the outbreak.

Salmonella infection typically leads to symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, which can last for up to a week after onset. These symptoms tend to appear within three days of consuming the contaminated food, as mentioned by the FDA.

In light of the situation, the FDA is advising consumers to discard cantaloupes or pre-cut cantaloupe products if they fall under the recalls or if their origin is uncertain.

Moreover, TGD Cuts LLC, a pre-cut fruit manufacturer, recently issued a recall for certain fresh-cut fruit cup, clamshell, and tray products due to concerns that the recalled cantaloupes were used in these products. The FDA has urged pre-cut fruit manufacturers to ensure proper cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces and to evaluate the need for additional recalls to prevent cross-contamination in processing facilities.

The FDA and Canadian health authorities continue their investigation into the outbreak. Public vigilance and caution are highly recommended to prevent further illnesses and tragedies associated with this salmonella outbreak.

Note: This article is based on the information available at the time of writing and may be subject to updates as more details emerge.