In 2020 CDC, FDA, and state partners investigated an outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections associated with consumption of watermelon and cantaloupe. PulseNet identified 80 cases from 15 states. Isolates were highly related by cgMLST with 0-12 alleles. Isolation dates ranged from July 7 to October 22, 2020. There were 17 hospitalizations and no deaths.

Overall, 25 of 31 (81%) patients interviewed with a focused questionnaire reported consuming or maybe consuming any melon prior to illness onset. Among 25 patients reporting any melon consumption, cantaloupe was reported by 19/25 (75%), followed by watermelon 17/25 (68%), and 10/25 (40%) reported consuming both. Most reported whole melon products purchased at grocery stores.

All traceback legs were supplied with cantaloupe from a single farm in Indiana. FDA and Indiana Department of Health conducted a joint inspection at the farm in Indiana. The findings included (1) equipment and tools used for transportation and processing of melons was not maintained to facilitate adequate cleaning, and (2) the farm did not maintain documentation of cleaning and sanitation for buses used to transport melons.

Due to a decline in newly identified cases, CDC closed the investigation on 11/16/2020. This outbreak was reported to NORS with confirmed source of cantaloupe and watermelon using NORS ID: 2020-0092.