Bacteria, Listeria | featured news

Fifteen people have now died after consuming cantaloupe contaminated with the listeria monocytogenes bacteria, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. At least 84 people in 19 states have become ill with the bacteria, the agency said. And the number of illnesses could still grow, added the CDC, citing reporting lags and how the disease can develop slowly in some people.

Listeria, the food-borne bacteria responsible for killing 21 people this week via contaminated cantaloupes, is just one of many types of bacteria contaminating the food supply. Here, the 5 deadliest types of food-borne bacteria and how to keep yourself and your family members safe.