WASHINGTON -- The death toll continues to rise due to listeria tainted cantaloupe from a Colorado farm.
Twenty-one people have now been confirmed dead from the bacteria outbreak.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that at least 109 cases have been reported in 24 states.
More cases may also come to light since symptoms of the disease can take up to two months to develop.
The listeria outbreak linked to cantaloupe is the deadliest food-borne illness of its kind in the United State since 1998.
Jensen Farms in Holly recalled the fruit and it should be off of store shelves.
So far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration have not been able to determine the source of the bacteria.
Officials are looking into the possibility of water contamination among other factors.
A handful of lawsuits have already been filed by some families affected by the deadly outbreak.
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