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ALBANY, GA -- An outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe is being called the deadliest in a decade.

In our Facebook Story of the Day you wanted to know what exactly lisertia is.

Officials at the Dougherty County Health Department say it’s a foodborne illness. Sometimes people can go weeks and even months with the disease before they develop symptoms.

“Lysteria can cause fever, muscle aches and is usually preceded by diarrhea. It can be a mild illness but it can also be fatal,” said Jacqueline Jenkins, an endermologist at the Dougherty County Health Department.

As many as 16 people have died from the outbreak.  So far there have not been any reported cases in Georgia.