ATLANTA - A salmonella outbreak caused by contaminated cantaloupe has spread to multiple states in the United States and has also affected individuals in Canada, health officials revealed on Thursday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that at least 117 people in 34 U.S. states have fallen ill, with 61 hospitalized and two deaths attributed to the outbreak.

Additionally, Canada has reported 63 cases of illnesses, 17 hospitalizations, and sadly, one death linked to the same outbreak. The severity of the illnesses is evident, with over half of those infected requiring hospitalization, including residents of long-term care centers and children in day care, according to the CDC.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded previous recalls of whole and pre-cut cantaloupes to include Kwik Trip markets, Bix Produce, and distributor GHGA. These recalled products were distributed to popular stores such as Kroger, Sprouts Farmer's Markets, and Trader Joe's in several states. The potential uncertainty about the source of the cantaloupe has prompted health officials to issue a warning to consumers.

In a statement, the FDA urged caution: "If you cannot tell if your cantaloupe, including pre-cut cantaloupe or products containing pre-cut cantaloupe, is part of the recall, do not eat or use it and throw it away."

The CDC suspects that the actual number of people affected by the outbreak is likely much higher than what has been reported, and it is possible that the outbreak extends beyond the states with currently known cases. It typically takes three to four weeks to determine whether a sick individual is part of an outbreak.

Salmonella infection typically presents symptoms of diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps within six hours to six days after consuming contaminated food. Illnesses typically last four to seven days. However, vulnerable individuals, such as children, those over 65 years old, and those with weakened immune systems, may experience severe symptoms that require medical attention or hospitalization.

Health officials emphasize the importance of erring on the side of caution by refraining from consuming pre-cut cantaloupe if its source is unknown. Regularly monitoring updates from the FDA and CDC regarding the recall is crucial for the safety of consumers.