An outbreak of listeria food poisoning linked to meats sliced at grocery store deli counters has resulted in the deaths of at least two people and hospitalized 28 others across twelve states.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning on Friday, stating that 16 of the 18 affected individuals had consumed meats from deli counters. Prepackaged deli meat does not appear to be affected by this outbreak.
Samples collected from May 29 to July 5 came from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. The deceased individuals were from Illinois and New Jersey.
Listeria symptoms typically appear within two weeks of consuming contaminated food, though they can start as early as the same day or up to 10 weeks later.
Mild symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Severe cases may present with headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Listeria poses a significant risk to individuals over 65, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant people.
The CDC advises against eating meats sliced at deli counters unless they are reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot, as listeria can survive in refrigerated environments but is killed by sufficient heating.
Also, the CDC recommends cleaning refrigerators, containers, and surfaces thoroughly to prevent contamination.
