A Listeria outbreak that has sickened more than a dozen people across the country has resulted in the loss of one pregnancy and the death of another person, according to health officials. The outbreak has been linked to deli meat and cheese, but no definitive source has been identified other than those two foods.
On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that 16 confirmed listeria outbreak cases had been reported by six states.
Seven of the cases were reported in the state of New York, three in the state of Maryland, two in the states of Illinois and Massachusetts, and one case was reported in each of New Jersey and California.
The first documented instance was on April 17, 2021, and the most recent one occurred on September 29, 2022.
Thirteen of the sixteen cases led to hospitalizations as a consequence. One person was reported to have passed away in Maryland, and another person became ill while they were pregnant, which led to the loss of their pregnancy.
According to the CDC, the actual number of infected persons is most likely much higher. This is due to the fact that listeria illness can be treated at home without the need for medical attention, and the outbreak may not be confined to other states.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local and state public health officials have been questioning people about the meals they consumed before becoming ill.
Eleven of the twelve people who were questioned about their eating habits admitted to purchasing meat or cheese at deli counters. Five of the seven people who became ill in New York were customers of the multinational food retail chain NetCost Market, where they purchased sliced deli meat or cheese.
However, health inspectors do not believe that NetCost Market delis are the only cause of the outbreak. This is due to the fact that a specific source of the disease has not yet been identified, and some of the people who became ill did not shop at the grocery chain.
“It is challenging for investigators to zero in on a particular food item as the cause of outbreaks that have been linked to deli meats and cheeses. This is due to the fact that listeria can move freely between food and the environment of the deli, as well as remain viable for an extended period of time in the display cases and on the equipment of the deli “according to the CDC.
“It seems possible that a contaminated meal was responsible for introducing the epidemic strain of Listeria into delis in a number of states.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), listeria can cause severe disease in addition to a less serious intestinal illness that can lead to diarrhea and vomiting but normally cures itself without the need for antibiotic therapy.
The onset of symptoms often takes place within two weeks of consuming contaminated food, although they can occur as soon as the day of consumption or as late as ten weeks later.
People who are pregnant, newborns, and individuals who are 65 years or older have a higher risk of severe disease because the illness can cause pregnancy loss or early deliveries. Newborns have the lowest risk of severe illness.
Health officials recommend that people who are at a higher risk for listeria infection, including pregnant women, people aged 65 or older, and those who have a compromised immune system, do not consume meat or cheese from any deli counter unless the product has been reheated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Due to the fact that it can grow on foods that are stored inside refrigerators, people are also urged to clean their refrigerators, containers, and any surfaces that may have come into contact with deli meat or cheese.
If you or someone you know thinks they may be having severe symptoms of listeria, they are strongly encouraged to get in touch with their primary care physician as soon as possible.
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