Maybe it is. Maybe not. A Texas town has a bunch of sick people. The health department folks are investigating.

And, according to News West 9, they’ve released a weird consumer-focused message in the absence of linking illnesses together: wash your hands and your produce, especially melons.

Midland health officials are warning residents to wash their hands and their food following a recent increase in infectious gastroenteritis cases.

City officials said the best defense against the illness is prevention by effective hand washing with plenty of soap and warm water and washing all vegetables and fruits, including melons.

City of Midland Health & Senior Services officials are interviewing patients within the community to help identify any common source of infection. Interviews that have been conducted to this point have not indicated that the illness is stemming from any particular food establishment.

If health officials believe they are looking at a foodborne norovirus outbreak, CDC has data showing 96% outbreaks are not from homes. Not sure produce washing is an effective risk management step.