By Sharon Stevens

St. Louis (KSDK) - That deadly outbreak of Listeriosis that's linked to cantaloupe just keeps getting bigger.

Health officials now say three people in Missouri have gotten sick.

One of the victims, an elderly patient in southwest Missouri, died. One of the other patients is from west St. Louis County.

The outbreak has been traced to a cantaloupe farm in Colorado and the Centers for Disease Control is worried it will only get worse.

That's because Listeriosis can incubate in a person's system for several weeks, before it makes them sick.

Health experts say you should wash melons very, very thoroughly under running water.

Use a vegetable brush, if you have one, before you cut it open.

Health officials say proper washing is critical when there are health concerns.

Officials at the Kirkwood Farmers Market say last year, they did buy cantaloupe from California, although not from the farm in question. They say they bought from California this year because the cantaloupes looked better.

Health Department officials say Listeriosis in fruit is uncommon, but the symptoms may not be known for four to six days.

"It takes time for the organism to be ingested and colonize and release the toxins that cause the symptoms," said Dr. Faisal Khan from the St. Louis County Health Department.

Dr. Khan also says if you are putting cantaloupe in the refrigerator, make sure the refrigerator temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

& KSDK&