Produce manager Nate Codina holds a cut Rocky Ford cantaloupes at a Denver Kings Soopers market on Friday, July 13, 2012. Colorado cantaloupes are back in supermarkets Friday, and growers of the Rocky Ford melons are going on the offensive to restore the fruit's reputation a year after Colorado melons caused a deadly nationwide listeria outbreak. Farmers have banded together to trademark the melons and fund a new tracking system to prevent future outbreaks. (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)

(WKYT) - Walmart stores in the region have now pulled cantaloupes from Southwestern Indiana from their shelves.

A salmonella outbreak has folks nation wide checking their produce---but Kentucky officials say the Bluegrass State may well be hardest hit.

Christie Green, Madison County Health Department says, "In Kentucky so far, there's been 50 reported illnesses and unfortunately, 2 deaths."

Christie Green of the Madison County Health Department says while there have been 6 reported cases in Madison County only one case of salmonella can be linked to the same bacterial strain effecting thousands of cantaloupes grown in Southwestern Indiana.

Wal-Mart stores have pulled cantaloupes from that area where experts believe the problem is from their shelves. All while consumers try to avoid getting sick.

"You should verify where it came from before you purchase it," says Green.

While two people in Kentucky have died in connection to the contaminated cantaloupes Green says most healthy people should be able to recover from exposure to the bacteria.

Green says experts are still looking into the salmonella scare.

"They're investigating it mostly on the state level and we're helping them with whatever they need from us."

Green says folks should look out for diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever--and always go visit a doctor if symptoms stick around.