Here’s what you need to know about this bacteria and its recent outbreak.
What states have reported Listeria cases?
The CDC is aware of 28 people infected with Listeria as part of this outbreak, living in 12 states: New York (7), Maryland (6), Virginia (2), New Jersey (2), Massachusetts (2), Georgia (2), Missouri (2), Illinois (1), Pennsylvania (1), North Carolina (1), Wisconsin (1) and Minnesota (1). The average age of those infected is 75.
The agency added that the current outbreak “may not be limited to states with known cases.” Samples from the infected people were collected between May 29 and July 5, and the agency said, “because it typically takes three to four weeks to determine if an infected person is part of an outbreak, it is possible that the recent cases have not yet been reported.”
Of the two known deaths, one occurred in Illinois and the other in New Jersey.
What products are affected?
Many people affected by the outbreak reported to the CDC that they had eaten sliced meat from the deli counters of various supermarkets and delis.
Officials said Friday that investigators were working to identify specific products that may have been contaminated, noting that the most commonly consumed meats are turkey, liverwurst and ham, but there was insufficient information to determine which deli meats may be the source of the infections.
The company said there is no evidence to date that anyone has become ill from eating its prepackaged deli meats.
What causes Listeria?
Listeria is an infection caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The bacteria lives in moist environments, soil, water, and decaying plants and animals, making it a common but rare infection. Listeria most commonly occurs in humans through food contamination. Pregnant women, adults over 65 years of age, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems are at highest risk for severe illness from listeriosis.
Foods that are likely to be contaminated include soft cheeses, pre-made deli salads, uncooked deli meats, cold cuts, hot dogs, fermented or dried sausages, refrigerated pates or meat spreads, cold-smoked fish, raw dairy products, bean sprouts, and melons.
What are the symptoms of Listeria?
The earliest and most common symptoms of Listeria infection are diarrhea and vomiting, which usually begin within 24 hours of consuming Listeria-contaminated food and usually last for 1-3 days. Although these symptoms are unpleasant, they are not usually life-threatening.
In severe cases, the bacteria spread beyond the intestine and is classified as an invasive disease. These symptoms usually begin within two weeks and include flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle aches and fatigue, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures.
According to the CDC, about one in six non-pregnant people with invasive listeriosis die, making it the third leading cause of foodborne illness deaths in the United States.
Although not usually fatal, invasive disease during pregnancy often leads to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or life-threatening infections in the newborn.
What’s the latest advice?
Anyone experiencing symptoms of listeriosis should contact their health care provider.
The CDC recommends that people at high risk avoid eating meat sliced at the deli counter unless it has been reheated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or steaming hot just before eating.
Listeria can grow on foods stored in the refrigerator but is killed by heating the food to a high enough temperature. Recommended precautions include cleaning the refrigerator, containers, and surfaces that may have come into contact with sliced deli meats.
Delisens must follow USDA guidelines for controlling Listeria.
