The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a stark warning to Americans about a listeria outbreak that has impacted over two dozen individuals across 12 states, with a potential link to deli meat. As of Friday, 28 people have been affected, all of whom required hospitalization, and the outbreak has resulted in two fatalities—one in Illinois and another in New Jersey.
Health officials are warning of a deadly listeria outbreak linked to deli meat. The outbreak has sickened more than two dozen people in at least 12 states. Whit Johnson reports. https://t.co/OMsKjyzPk9 pic.twitter.com/XquEK3iaER
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) July 20, 2024
New York leads with seven reported cases, followed closely by Maryland with six. Other states with reported cases include Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
“The actual number of affected individuals is likely higher than reported,” the CDC cautioned in its update. “The outbreak might not be confined to the states with known cases because some individuals recover without medical intervention and are not tested for Listeria. Additionally, recent illnesses might not yet be reported as it generally takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.”
The CDC, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS), is actively gathering data to pinpoint the outbreak’s source. Many affected patients reported consuming meats sliced at deli counters before falling ill. Currently, there is no evidence to suggest prepackaged deli meats are involved in the outbreak.
“Of the 18 people interviewed, 16 reported eating meats sliced at a deli, with turkey, liverwurst, and ham being the most common choices. These meats were purchased from various supermarket and grocery store delis,” the CDC reported.
🚨 #BREAKING: 28 Sick in Listeria Outbreak Across States
A Listeria outbreak is impacting 28 people across 12 states, with 28 hospitalizations and 2 deaths. The CDC links the outbreak to contaminated deli meats. Those at higher risk should reheat deli meats to 165°F and clean… pic.twitter.com/s3WmqZajjm— Citizen NYC (@CitizenAppNYC) July 19, 2024
The cases span from May 29 to July 5, according to CDC data. The ages of those affected range from 32 to 94 years, with a median age of 75. Approximately 72% of patients identify as white, 23% as Black or African American, and 5% as Asian.
Listeriosis, caused by consuming food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, can progress to invasive listeriosis, where the bacteria spread beyond the gut to other parts of the body. Symptoms of severe illness usually begin one to four weeks after consuming contaminated food but can start as early as the same day or as late as 70 days afterward.
An estimated 1,600 people in the U.S. contract listeriosis annually, with about 260 fatalities. Those most vulnerable include pregnant individuals and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms for non-pregnant individuals include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, stiff neck, confusion, or loss of balance. Pregnant individuals typically experience fever and flu-like symptoms.
To mitigate the risk of listeriosis, the CDC advises those at higher risk to avoid eating meat sliced at deli counters unless it is heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or until steaming hot just before serving. They also recommend consulting a healthcare provider if you experience symptoms of listeriosis after recently consuming deli-sliced meat.
At least two people have died and more than two dozen were hospitalized in an outbreak of listeria food poisoning linked to meat sliced at grocery store deli counters, federal health officials said Friday. https://t.co/eht8K8kURc pic.twitter.com/RBHnQ6qm1f
— KTLA (@KTLA) July 19, 2024
The CDC’s alert serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing risks associated with foodborne illnesses and the importance of adhering to safety guidelines to protect vulnerable populations.
Major Points:
- The CDC warns of a listeria outbreak linked to deli meats, affecting over 28 people across 12 states, with two deaths.
- New York and Maryland are the most affected, with seven and six cases, respectively.
- The CDC and USDA-FSIS are investigating, as many patients reported eating deli-sliced meats before falling ill.
- Listeriosis symptoms can appear one to four weeks after consuming contaminated food, affecting mainly pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.
- The CDC advises those at risk to avoid deli-sliced meats unless heated properly and to seek medical attention if symptoms appear.
James Kravitz – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
