A listeria outbreak linked to sliced deli meats has resulted in two deaths and sickened 28 people across 12 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The specific brands of deli meat responsible for the outbreak remain unidentified, but an ongoing investigation aims to determine which products may be contaminated, the CDC reported in an update on Friday. The agency noted that “products sold at the deli, especially those sliced or prepared at the deli, can be contaminated with Listeria,” adding that the bacteria easily spread among deli equipment, surfaces, hands, and food.
The affected states include Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Listeria is a type of bacteria that causes listeriosis, a serious infection typically resulting from consuming food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The CDC emphasizes that listeriosis poses a significant risk to pregnant individuals, the elderly (65 or older), and those with weakened immune systems.
Each year, approximately 1,600 people contract listeriosis, and around 260 die from it, according to the CDC.
To reduce the risk of infection, the CDC advises people at higher risk to avoid eating meats sliced at the deli or to heat them to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot before consumption, as refrigeration does not kill listeria.
While the current outbreak has been traced to contaminated deli meat, other foods can also pose risks if contaminated with listeria, including unpasteurized raw milk or products made from it, and raw vegetables exposed to the bacteria in soil or fertilizer.
Symptoms of listeria infection can vary. Intestinal illness typically begins within 24 hours after eating contaminated food and lasts about 1 to 3 days, presenting symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. “This kind of illness is rarely diagnosed because laboratories do not regularly test patient stool (poop) samples for Listeria,” the CDC explains.
However, the infection can develop into invasive illness when the bacteria spread beyond the intestines. Symptoms of invasive listeriosis generally start within two weeks after consuming contaminated food.
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