Two people have died in a multistate listeria outbreak, linked to the deli meat that was cut into slices, CDC declares

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a cautionary statement on Friday of a fatal multistate listeria outbreak linked to meat from deli.

By Jen Christensen

Jul 20, 2024 09:25 PM

CNN —

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a statement Friday regarding a potentially deadly multistate listeria outbreak that is linked to the deli meat.

Two people have passed away the CDC announced it said in its investigation announcement and that at most 28 people have been admitted to hospitals. However it is the CDC states that the actual number of people suffering from the illness is likely more than the number stated because some people may have been suffering from a milder type of the disease but haven’t had a test for listeria. There’s also a delay between the time an illness occurs and when researchers can link the illness to an ongoing study.

Seven cases of illness are reported to have occurred in New York; six in Maryland Two each across Georgia, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey and Virginia as well as one of Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. The deaths were discovered within Illinois along with New Jersey.

Of the 18 individuals state and local experts in public health could interview 16 people said they had eaten meats cut at a deli during the month prior to when they became sick. There is no evidence of anyone getting sick after eating deli meat packaged in a jar.

It’s unclear which meats are responsible for this outbreak, as the CDC declares. The CDC as well as the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service are conducting an investigation the issue, but no recalls have been announced.

The majority of people who fell sick said they had eaten liverwurst or turkey while some have reported eating Ham. The meat was sourced from a variety of supermarket food stores, delis and even the local supermarket. The tests using DNA fingerprinting proved that the bacteria found in sick people were genetically related which suggests that they may have were exposed to the bacteria through eating the same foods.

The timeframe of this outbreak extends over some months it said. CDC stated. The first patient was diagnosed towards the end of May and the most recent patient was diagnosed with illness on the 5th of July.

Listeria bacteria may cause listeriosis. It is the third most common reason of death due to food-borne disease among the United States. The signs typically are muscle aches, fever and fatigue. The infection can also trigger a stiff neck, headache or confusion, or even seizures. Women who are pregnant may experience preterm birth or a loss of pregnancy.

Listeria is easily spread in Deli stores according to the CDC states, and can be transferred from surfaces to equipment, food and hands. The use of refrigeration does not eliminate the germs, though heat does.

Pregnant women or who are over 65, as well as those with weak immune systems should avoid eating deli meat until it’s been heated to the point that it swells or reaches the internal temperature 160 F.

If you’ve had slices of the deli meat at home, wash the refrigerator as well as any other objects or areas that could have come in contact.

Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of listeriosis needs to seek medical attention immediately.

The CDC encourages people who fall ill by listeria to speak with local health officials and contact them to inquire about what they ate during the previous month and request receipts or food items that were left over to pinpoint the cause of the infection.