The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating a Listeria outbreak that has been linked to meats sliced at delis. The outbreak is so far known to have caused two deaths and spread across 12 states. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s happened?
The CDC has announced that it is investigating a Listeria outbreak that is thought to be linked to sliced deli meats. The active investigation is trying to determine the exact deli products that are responsible for the outbreak. Reports of suspected cases in this Listeria outbreak began in May and have continued through July.
Has anyone been harmed?
Unfortunately, yes. The CDC says that 28 illnesses have been linked to the outbreak so far. Of those 28 illnesses, all the people infected have required hospitalization. Unfortunately, two deaths have resulted from the illnesses as well.
Where is the outbreak located?
As of the CDC’s July 19 report, the outbreak is known to be occurring in 12 states. Those states are:
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
Right now New York has reported the highest number of sick individuals, at seven people. Maryland has reported six illnesses. Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, and Virginia have all reported two illnesses. The remaining states have all reported one illness each.
The two deaths occurred in Illinois and New Jersey.
However, the CDC notes that it's likely the outbreak has impacted other states as well. This is because if an individual is relatively healthy, they may become sick from a Listeria infection but recover without seeking medical assistance. In such cases, there would be no known records of the illness.
What is Listeria?
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that causes a serious infection known as Listeriosis. About 1,600 people in America contract Listeriosis each year. It has a high mortality rate—about 260 of those infected every year die.
Listeriosis is especially dangerous to newborns, pregnant women, those aged 65 or older, and those who have weakened immune systems. These people are known as “high-risk” individuals.
What are the symptoms of a Listeria infection?
Symptoms of a Listeria infection can very depending on whether you are pregnant or not.
If you are not pregnant, symptoms can be more severe, according to the CDC. They include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle fatigue and aches
- A stiff neck
- Seizures
- Confusion
- A loss of balance
If you are pregnant, symptoms may be more mild. Typical ones include:
- Muscle fatigue and aches
- Fever
However, the CDC stresses that “infection during pregnancy usually leads to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.”
What deli meats are impacted?
The deli meats that are contaminated with Listeria are not known definitively at this time. The CDC says that some of the sick people it interviewed reported eating deli-sliced turkey, liverwurst, and ham before getting sick. A CDC analysis showed that people infected were more likely to eat deli-sliced turkey and liverwurst before the illness.
According to the CDC, this suggests that deli meats are indeed the source of the outbreak, but the agency does not yet have the data to say which meats are the source definitively. This is complicated by the fact that Listeria spreads easily across deli surfaces, such as counters and cutting machines, making the source of the bacteria harder to track down.
What grocery stores and delis are impacted?
The CDC has not revealed the names of any grocery stores or delis that are the source of where the impacted meats were purchased. “Meats were sliced at a variety of supermarket and grocery store delis” is all the agency has said so far.
What should high-risk individuals do?
The CDC says that if you fall into the high-risk group (mentioned above), you should not eat meats you get sliced from deli counters unless you reheat them to “an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot.” The CDC notes to let the meat cool before you eat it.
You should also clean any surfaces that have come into contact with the meat, as well as your refrigerator. The CDC’s full safety precautions can be found here.