by A pregnant Minnesota woman is among 28 people sickened in a nationwide listeriosis outbreak that has also killed two people in other states. What is listeriosis and what do you need to know about it?
Listeria is a bacteria that can contaminate many types of food and, when ingested, can cause an infection called listeriosis. Health authorities have targeted processed meats as one of the sources of the current outbreak.
“Many people affected by this outbreak have reported eating meat that they sliced at delis,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a public notice released Friday. “Investigators are gathering information to determine the specific products that may be contaminated. Products sold at delis, particularly those cut or prepared at delis, may be contaminated with Listeria. Listeria spreads easily on deli equipment, surfaces, hands, and foods.”
According to the CDC website, listeriosis is most likely to affect pregnant women and their newborns, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems. Other people can become infected, but they rarely become seriously ill. Pregnant women with listeriosis may miscarry or deliver their babies prematurely, and the disease can cause serious illness or death in newborns.
The Minnesota woman with listeriosis gave birth to a healthy baby, according to Amy Barrett, a spokeswoman for the Minnesota Department of Health. The woman was hospitalized for several days and recovered.
As recommended by the CDC, people at higher risk for listeriosis should:
- Avoid eating meat sliced from a deli or heating it until it is piping hot or reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Clean your refrigerator, containers and surfaces that may have touched deli meat slices.
- Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms, which typically include fever, muscle aches and fatigue, according to the CDC.
New York State has the most confirmed cases, with seven. Other states affected by the listeriosis outbreak are primarily on the East Coast and in the Midwest, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri and Illinois.
The number of sick people is likely higher than 28 because some are recovering without medical care and are not being tested, according to the CDC. A national investigation into the outbreak is ongoing. More information is available on the CDC website at cdc.gov/listeria.
