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The phrase 'killer cantaloupes' may be reminiscent of the cult horror film Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, but this particular fruit poses a real threat. A penchant for eating cantaloupes has been responsible for two recent deaths and a horde of illnesses so far.

Cantaloupes grown on an Indiana farm have infected at least 141 people with the Typhimurium strain of salmonella throughout 20 states. Although salmonella usually presents a danger to humans in undercooked meat, some types of the virus can linger on the surface of fruits.

Although most salmonella infections result in diarrhea, vomiting and cramps, it can be fatal if the infection spreads from the intestine into other areas of the body, such as the bloodstream. That is what happened to two unfortunate cantaloupe consumers in Kentucky.

The Indiana farm which grew the dangerous cantaloupes is currently under investigation by numerous agencies from the local to federal level. Some of the potential causes of salmonella finding its way to fruits are the use of uncomposted manure, contaminated water or even the droppings of birds and animals.

Although salmonella only lingers on the surface of melons like cantaloupes, it is far too simple to contaminate the inside of the fruit when slicing it with a knife. Simply washing the outside of fruits with porous exteriors like cantaloupes may not be enough to prevent the risk of infection. It is a scary thought that even fresh fruit can pose a health risk, but it is an unfortunate reality.

In order to prevent further exposure to the killer cantaloupes, the Center for Disease Control urges consumers to check the source of the melons before eating them. "If no sticker is present, consumers should inquire about the source. When in doubt, throw it out."

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Killer Cantaloupes Linked to Indiana Farm

In the wake of 10 deaths due to West Nile virus, and hundreds of infections, authorities in Texas are spraying insecticide in the Dallas region, hoping to curb the spread of the disease, which can spread by mosquitoes.

A total of 693 cases of West Nile virus infections, including 26 deaths, were reported as of Aug. 14 to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The number of cases reported by this second week in August is the highest since 1999, when the disease was first seen in the U.S., according to the CDC.

ANALYSIS: Mosquitoes Killed Two Killer Whales

About 60 percent of this year's cases have involved the "neuroinvasive" form of West Nile infection, in which the nervous system is affected. Such cases can cause inflammation of neural tissues, such as meningitis and encephalitis. More than 80 percent of all reported cases were from six states (Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Dakota and California), and almost half of all cases have been reported from Texas.

Here are five things you need to know about West Nile virus:

1. What is West Nile virus?

West Nile virus is a type of virus called a flavivirus. Other viruses in this group cause dengue, yellow fever and Japanese encephalitis. Flaviviruses are commonly transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes. West Nile virus was first identified in Uganda in 1937, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

2. How does West Nile Virus spread?

It is likely that West Nile is spread from birds to people through mosquito bites, the NIH says. Early fall is the time of year that mosquitoes tend to have the highest levels of the virus, and human cases tend to peak around this time.

The virus can also be spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. Pregnant women can transmit the virus to their fetus, and mothers can transmit it to babies through breast milk, the CDC says.

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5 Things You Should Know About West Nile Virus

By Steven Reinberg HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Aug. 16 (HealthDay News) -- Every American born between 1945 and 1965 should be tested for the liver-destroying virus hepatitis C, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Thursday.

One in 30 Baby Boomers is infected with the virus and most don't know it. Hepatitis C is a leading cause of liver cancer and other liver diseases, and is the leading cause of liver transplants, the CDC said.

"And deaths from hepatitis C have nearly doubled over the past decade," CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said during an afternoon news conference. "Unless we take action now, deaths will increase substantially in the coming years."

Baby boomers are five times more likely to have hepatitis C than other adult Americans, Frieden said.

So, the CDC is now recommending one-time testing for hepatitis C for everyone in the country born between 1945 and 1965, he said. All those who test positive for the virus should receive a brief alcohol screening and intervention and be referred to appropriate care and treatment services. Alcohol use has been shown to accelerate the progression of liver disease, the agency added.

Until now, the recommendation had been for testing only those at risk. "But that approach missed far too many infections," Frieden explained.

These new recommendations take into account that more than 2 million Baby Boomers are infected with hepatitis C, accounting for more than 75 percent of all American adults living with the disease.

Many Baby Boomers were infected years ago and don't consider themselves at risk, so they've never been screened, Frieden noted.

Hepatitis C is a "silent killer," living in the liver for years while slowly destroying it, Dr. John Ward, director of the division of viral hepatitis at the CDC, said during the news conference.

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Test all baby boomers for hepatitis C

Springfield, MO--"It's this killer, killer headache. It just makes me feel like somebody has an axe in my head and it hurts really bad." That is how Katharyn Deville feels from the West Nile virus. She lives in Texas. So far 80% of the cases have come from Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

There has only been one case in the Ozarks this year. According to the Missouri Health Department, a man in Laclede County who they believe contracted the virus a few weeks ago ended up dying. It's still unclear whether West Nile caused the death or just contributed to it.

Kendra Findley with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department said, "Once we get a confirmed diagnoses, we will call the patient, do a full investigation to just ask questions, where they might have been recently." The Springfield-Greene County Health Department has had only 2 cases in the past 5 years.

If West Nile became a bigger issue, it would be new territory. "I don't know what that trigger point would be. It would just be something we kind of have to go with and monitor the situation and just see where things stand and kind of make a decision as we go", said Mike Brother's with the Springfield-Greene County Health Department

Symptoms for West Nile are similar to the flu such as fever, headache, and fatigue. If you think you have it, you are encouraged to see a doctor who can test to see if it is the West Nile virus. "No, I would not call it a big threat. It's a big threat in other states right now like Texas but not here in Springfield, Missouri." said Findley.

Read more here:
No local uptick in West Nile virus right now

DALLAS, Tx. (ABC)-- Most of the country is under watch this morning for cases of the deadly West Nile virus. So far this year, 43 states have reported virus infections in people, birds, or mosquitoes in record numbers.

Almost half the cases are in Texas. Over 80-percent in just six states: Texas, California, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and South Dakota.

West Nile patient Katharyn DeVille descibes her pain, "It's this killer, killer headache. It just makes me feel like somebody has an axe in my head and it hurts really bad."

Two weeks ago, the 42 year old was in good health. But her Flu-like symptoms turned into something much worse.

"When I came in here Thursday for the spinal tap, I was like delirious and couldn't function," DeVille says.

West Nile usually affects the elderly and unhealthy. Most people never even know they have it.

Here are some facts:

Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control reports 693 cases so far this year. 26 of them have been fatal.

Controversial aerial spraying is set to begin in and around Dallas, Texas as early as Thursday night. It would be the first time they've done that since 1966.

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said, "I'm in a tight window because we have people dying....we have to have a sense of urgency to get this done now. That's what's the most important thing."

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U.S. Health officials are concerned about an outbreak of West Nile Virus