Listeriosis Outbreak Linked to Deli Meat Sickens 28 Across 12 States, CDC Warns
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert regarding a listeria outbreak that has affected over two dozen individuals across a dozen states and is likely connected to deli meat consumption.
As of Friday, 28 cases have been identified, all of whom required hospitalization, and two individuals have succumbed to the illness, one from Illinois and the other from New Jersey. New York holds the highest count of cases with seven, followed by Maryland with six. Additional states reporting cases include Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The CDC emphasizes that the true extent of the outbreak is likely more comprehensive than the official count, as some individuals may recover without seeking medical care or undergoing testing. Furthermore, recent cases may not yet be reported due to the three to four-week time frame typically required to ascertain if an illness is part of an outbreak.
The CDC, along with collaborating entities like the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS), is actively investigating to pinpoint the outbreak’s source. Many of the affected individuals reported consuming deli-sliced meats prior to becoming ill.
Deli products, particularly those sliced or prepared on-site, can become contaminated with Listeria. However, there is no current evidence suggesting that prepackaged deli meats pose a risk.
The CDC states, “Of the 18 individuals interviewed, 16 reported consuming deli-sliced meats, with deli-sliced turkey, liverwurst, and ham being the most common. The meats were sliced at various supermarket and grocery store delis.”
Cases have been reported from May 29 to July 5, with patient ages ranging from 32 to 94 (median age of 75). White individuals account for 72% of cases, Black or African American individuals account for 23%, and Asian individuals account for 5%.
Listeriosis, a serious infection, can result from consuming food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. If the bacteria spread beyond the digestive tract to other parts of the body, the condition can progress to invasive listeriosis.
Symptoms of severe listeriosis typically manifest within one to four weeks of consuming contaminated food, although they can appear as early as the same day or as late as 70 days later. Approximately 1,600 cases of listeriosis occur annually in the United States, resulting in approximately 260 deaths.
Individuals at greatest risk include pregnant individuals, newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and those with weakened immune systems. Non-pregnant individuals may experience symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, stiff neck, confusion, or loss of balance. Pregnant individuals may only experience a fever and flu-like symptoms.
The CDC recommends that those at higher risk of listeriosis avoid consuming deli-sliced meats unless they are heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or until steaming hot before serving. Additionally, individuals who have recently consumed deli-sliced meats and are experiencing symptoms of listeriosis are advised to contact their healthcare provider.
