The CDC has issued a warning to the public regarding a listeria outbreak that has affected over 25 individuals in 12 different states. The outbreak is believed to have originated from deli meat consumption.
According to the federal health agency, 28 individuals have fallen ill and have all been hospitalized. Sadly, two people have passed away, one from Illinois and one from New Jersey.
Out of all the states, New York has reported the highest number of cases totaling to seven, while Maryland follows closely with six cases. Other states that have reported cases include Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
According to the update released by the CDC on Friday, the actual number of individuals affected by the outbreak could be more than what has been reported. It is also possible that the outbreak is not limited to the states where illnesses have been confirmed. The reason for this is that there are cases where people recover without seeking medical care and are not tested for Listeria. Additionally, it may take up to 3 to 4 weeks to confirm if a sick person is part of the outbreak, which means that recent illnesses may not be reported yet.
According to the CDC, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS), data is being gathered to identify the origin of the outbreak. A significant number of individuals affected by this outbreak disclosed consuming sliced meats from deli counters before experiencing symptoms.
At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that individuals are becoming ill from consuming prepackaged deli meats.
According to the CDC, 16 out of the 18 individuals who were interviewed reported consuming meats that were sliced at a deli. The most commonly consumed deli meats were turkey, liverwurst, and ham, and they were sliced at various supermarket and grocery store delis.
According to CDC data, there have been reported cases from May 29 to July 5. The age range of patients is between 32 and 94 years old, with a median age of 75. Out of all the patients, 72% identify as white, while 23% identify as Black or African American, and 5% as Asian.
What are the symptoms?
Listeriosis is a severe infection caused by consuming food that contains the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. According to the CDC, this infection can escalate and lead to invasive listeriosis, which occurs when the bacteria spread from the gut to other parts of the body.
According to the CDC, the symptoms of severe illness typically emerge within one to four weeks after consuming the contaminated food. However, in some cases, the symptoms may appear on the same day, while in others, they may take up to 70 days to develop.
Around 1,600 individuals are affected by listeriosis each year, resulting in approximately 260 fatalities. The most vulnerable groups include pregnant women and their newborns, elderly individuals aged 65 or above, as well as those with compromised immune systems.
If you’re not pregnant, you may experience a range of symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, stiff neck, confusion, or loss of balance. However, if you are pregnant, you’re more likely to experience only a fever and flu-like symptoms.
According to the CDC, individuals with a higher risk of contracting listeriosis should steer clear of deli counter meat unless it has been heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or is steaming hot just before serving. Additionally, the agency advises seeking medical attention if you experience symptoms of listeriosis and have recently consumed deli counter meat.