ATLANTA — Health officials reported a multistate outbreak of listeria linked to sliced deli meats, which has resulted in two deaths and at least 28 hospitalizations across the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified the outbreak starting in May after contaminated deli meats were sold in various supermarkets.
The outbreak has affected numerous states, causing significant concern among public health authorities. Noteworthy, the fatalities involved individuals from Illinois and New Jersey, as announced by the CDC. Additional cases include seven hospitalizations in New York and six in Maryland with multiple other states reporting hospitalizations due to the infection.
The CDC has suggested that the actual number of individuals affected is likely higher than what has been reported. This underreporting is attributable to some individuals recovering without medical help and therefore not being tested for the pathogen. Furthermore, there is typically a delay of three to four weeks in confirming whether a sick individual is linked to this outbreak, complicating efforts to assess the full impact of the outbreak.
During their investigation, health officials interviewed 18 individuals, two of whom reported consuming deli meats before falling ill. These meats, particularly turkey and liverwurst along with the commonly consumed ham, were sourced from various grocery store deli counters. Tests on these meats revealed a consistent strain of listeria, indicating a common contamination source.
Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium causing the illness, is notoriously resilient, capable of surviving and even multiplying in cold temperatures like those inside a refrigerator. The bacteria’s endurance in low temperatures and its potential to contaminate kitchen equipment, surfaces, and hands make it exceptionally contagious. Health experts strongly advise cooking deli meats to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit to eliminate the bacteria, followed by sufficient cooling before consumption.
The CDC underscores that listeria can manifest through various foods, groundwater, decaying vegetables, and animal feces. Unlike many other foodborne pathogens, listeria-infected food might not show any immediate spoilage signs like smell, taste, or texture alterations, making it harder to detect.
Listeria infections, or listeriosis, pose a severe health threat, particularly to pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. The infection can lead to sepsis, meninginnitus, or encephalitis if it spreads to the bloodstream or brain.
Recognizing early symptoms, which include fever, chills, muscle aches, upset stomach, and diarrhea, followed by severe complications such as loss of balance and convulsions, is crucial for preventing fatality. With listeria being the third leading cause of death from foodborne illnesses in the U.S. and a case-fatality rate of around 20%, awareness and precautionary measures are imperative.
The continuing spread of this listeria outbreak has prompted increased scrutiny of food safety practices, particularly in handling and preparing deli meats. Authorities are working to control the outbreak while urging the public to heed precautions seriously to prevent further illnesses.