A pregnant Minnesota woman is among 28 people sickened as part of a nationwide listeria outbreak that has also killed two people in other states. What is listeria and what do you need to know about it?
Listeria is a bacteria that contaminates many types of food, and eating it can cause an infection called listeriosis. Health officials have focused on deli meat as one source of the current outbreak.
“Many in this outbreak report eating sliced meats at deli counters,” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said In a public announcement on Friday. “Investigators are gathering information to determine if specific items are likely to be contaminated. Items sold at deli, especially pre-cut or deli-prepared items, may be contaminated with listeria. Listeria is easily spread on deli equipment, surfaces, hands and food.”
According to the CDC website, pregnant women and their newborns, adults over age 65, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get sick. Others may be affected by the disease, but they rarely get sick. Listeriosis can cause miscarriage or premature birth in pregnant women, and it can cause severe illness or death in newborns.
A Minnesota woman with listeriosis gave birth to a healthy baby, according to Minnesota Department of Health spokeswoman Amy Barrett. The woman was hospitalized for several days and recovered.
As recommended by the CDC, people at highest risk for listeriosis include:
- Avoid eating deli-cut meats or deli meats that are hot or heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Clean your refrigerator, containers, and surfaces that have touched sliced deli meats.
- According to the CDC, call your health care provider if symptoms usually include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue.
New York has the most confirmed cases with seven cases so far. Other states primarily affected by listeria outbreaks are along the East Coast and Midwest, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri and Illinois.
The CDC says the number of sick people could be higher than 28 because some recover without medical care and are not tested for it. A national investigation into the explosion is underway. More information is available on the CDC’s website cdc.gov/listeria.
