Listeria outbreak: CDC investigating listeria outbreak linked to deli meats in 6 states across US

CDC is investigating the cause of the listeria outbreak in six states. CDC has issued an advisory for people consuming Deli meat (cold cuts, lunch meats, hot dogs etc sold at the deli).

Pregnant women, elderly individuals above 65 years of age or those with a weakened immune system are at higher risk of catching Listeria. In the advisory, CDC has asked people not to eat meat or cheese from any deli counter. However, if one already has deli meats in their fridge, it can be consumed after reheating the meat at 165 degrees fahrenheit.





16 people have been ill and another 13 hospitalized due to Listeria. Listeria infection has been reported in New York (7 patients), 3 in Maryland, 1 in California and New Jersey, and 2 in Illinois and Massachusetts. One death has also been reported from Maryland.

Most of the infected patients are between an age range of 38 to 92, with the average being 74. Half of all reported cases are of men.

The cause of this outbreak is still unknown, but recent reports indicate that those who have been affected by it are of Eastern European or Russian ancestry.

In an update, CDC informed that the numbers could be much more than reported. Many people who had the listeria infection could have recovered at home without any medical attention. These are those cases that went unreported and are anticipated to increase more in numbers as reported by CDC.

FAQs

What is Listeria?
Listeria is a common foodborne illness that can cause fever and muscle aches. It spreads beyond the gut to the other parts of the body.

What are the symptoms of Listeria?
Listeria symptoms typically start two weeks after infection in some cases or as late as 70 days. They include diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems such as stomach aches, fever, headaches, and muscle pain.