On May 28th EGG-NEWS reported on an outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup in Scandinavia.  Recent reports now confirm cases in 253 patients in 14 nations between mid-March and the end of May.  Investigations have determined that imported melons are the vehicle of infection with  honeydew, cantaloupe, and galia melons implicated.  Further investigations will determine whether the source is Costa Rica, Honduras or Brazil.  One case has been diagnosed in Canada with no history of international travel suggesting that additional cases may be forthcoming.

Previously melons were implicated in 2017 with cases of listeriosis in California and in  outbreaks in Australia during 2018.  Cantaloupe was responsible for outbreaks of salmonellosis involving pre-cut melons in the U.S. in 2019.

An unusual aspect of the current outbreak is the gender disparity among cases with a higher proportion in females.  This is unusual with an extensive foodborne outbreak involving a single vehicle of infection.