There have been twenty-eight hospitalizations so far.
Two people have died and twelve states are affected. But no product recalls have yet been issued, so more deaths could occur. What is behind this outbreak?
Listeria
Listeria is a microparasite that grows and reproduces inside human cells.
It causes a disease called Listeriosis which has a fatality rate of around 30%. It is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, people aged over 65, newborn babies, or those with a weakened immune system.
Symptoms
Symptoms of listeriosis include fever and muscle aches.
It can also cause headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures. In pregnant women it can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth or life threatening illness to the baby. Those who are less at risk are likely to get diarrhea and a fever. If you have eaten deli meat recently and have any symptoms, you are advised to seek medical attention immediately.
Incubation Period
Although there have been twenty-eight hospitalizations from the current outbreak, it is suspected that many more people are ill.
This is because Listeriosis can have a long incubation period of up to seventy days. It can appear very quickly, in a matter of hours, but more commonly it takes up to two weeks. It takes scientists a little time to link those who are sick to an ongoing investigation, plus those who are more resistant to the disease will have recovered at home and not been tested.
Twelve States Affected
So far, twelve states have been affected by the outbreak, but more are expected.
To date, the two deaths were reported in Illinois and New Jersey, with seven illnesses in New York, six in Maryland, two in Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri and Virginia and one in Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
No Products Recalled
No products have yet been recalled in the invesitgation which is being conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.
This is partly because the outbreak is slow moving – the first person got sick at the end of May – and partly because those investigating haven’t yet been able to link the outbreak to one particular company or food. It is known, however, that deli meats are behind the outbreak and most of those who got sick said they had eaten turkey or liverwurst.
How it Spreads
Listeria can be spread very easily.
It will pass from surfaces, to equipment, to hands. Refrigeration is of no use in combatting the spread, but heat is. If meat is heated sufficiently, Listeria will die.
What to do
Those who are at risk – pregnant people, those over 65 and those who are immunocompromised – are advised to eat no deli meat at this time.
Everyone else is advised to heat any deli meat until it is steaming or at a temperature of over 165F on the inside. Let it cool before eating. If you have bought any deli meat recently, clean the fridge.
Cooperation with CDC
The CDC is encouraging anyone who has listeriosis to work with public health officials.
Local authorities may get in touch with those who have been sick to find out what they have eaten, where they bought it and so on as they seek to track down the source of the outbreak.
Genetically Similar
Those with listeriosis who have been tested have been found to have a genetically similar infection.
This means that the same source may be behind the outbreak and the race is on to track it down before any more deaths occur.
