CDC reports two deaths in Minnesota due to Salmonella contaminated cantaloupe

(St. Paul, Minn.) -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says two people in Minnesota have died from a Salmonella contamination in cantaloupe.

As of November 24, 99 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella have been reported from 32 states, according to data from the CDC. Of 77 people with information available, the CDC says 45 has been hospitalized.

Recently, two deaths due to Salmonella contamination have been reported in Minnesota. THe average age of people sick from the contamination is 62 years of age, and 60 percent of the individuals sick are reported to be males.

"The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses," the CDC said in a report Friday afternoon. "This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella."