2 Children Contract Salmonella From Fruit

Two children in Oxnard have contracted a rare form of salmonella by eating contaminated Mexican cantaloupe, Ventura County public health officials said Friday.

The children, both under 5 and from separate families, are recovering at home after being diagnosed with the illness in late April, officials said.

The type of salmonella, called poona, has been traced to cantaloupe sold under the Susie brand, officials said. The company has voluntarily recalled 25,000 boxes of the fruit. No deaths have been reported. Symptoms include fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.