16 Illnesses and One Death Associated with Listeria Outbreak
- The CDC has noted a listeria outbreak across multiple states.
- Fever and flu-like symptoms brought on by listeria are typically self-limiting in nature.
- The listeriosis infection is most severe in pregnant women, people over the age of 65, and those with impaired immune systems.
16 infections, 13 hospitalizations, and one fatality have been associated with a listeria outbreak brought on by tainted deli meats and cheeses.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases have been documented in California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York (CDC).
One of the patients was expecting but miscarried. Fever and flu-like symptoms brought on by listeria are typically self-limiting in nature. The listeriosis infection is most severe in pregnant women, people over the age of 65, and those with impaired immune systems.
The number of affected people may be underreported, according to health officials.
“This is due to the fact that some people recover without medical attention or Listeria testing. Furthermore, recent cases might not have been reported as of yet because it often takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine whether a sick person is a part of an outbreak, according to a CDC investigation report.
Information about the outbreak
Twelve of the sick people were questioned by health officials about the items they had before becoming unwell in an effort to find the source of the outbreak.
Eleven of the 12 people surveyed admitted to eating meats and cheeses that were made at deli counters. Seven of the people who became ill in New York claimed to have purchased deli meats and cheeses from a NetCost Market store in Brooklyn, a grocery store chain that specializes in selling items from other countries.
Since then, the Brooklyn store has been shut down, cleaned, and opened.
Health officials believe that the outbreak was started by tainted food that was shipped to several states.
The meats and cheeses offered at deli counters were likewise connected to the cases in other states.
The outbreak, first case was discovered in April 2021.
dependable source Late September saw the most recent infections be reported to the CDC.
To ascertain if diseases are connected to an outbreak, it typically takes up to a month trusted Source.
The CDC advises against consuming any meat or cheese that has been cooked on deli counters until it has been heated to 165°F or until it is scalding hot.
Here are images of listeria infections.
According to infectious disease specialist Dr. Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, listeria invades intestinal cells and sets off an inflammatory reaction that results in a variety of symptoms.
Listeria commonly results in fever, flu-like symptoms like muscle pains and weariness, headache, confusion, and loss of balance in the majority of people. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea, can occur in some persons.
The CDC estimates that one in twenty listeria patients will pass away.
It frequently results in fever and symptoms like the flu in pregnant women, who are more vulnerable. Most pregnant women’s symptoms will be moderate, but it might cause miscarriage, stillbirth, early delivery, or a baby’s infection to become life-threatening.
This is due to listeria’s ability to spread to other organs including the brain and even cross the placenta once within the body.
Typically, 24 hours after consuming the infected meal, digestive symptoms appear and might continue up to three days. The incubation period for invasive listeriosis is 10 days, and the location in the body where the bacteria has spread is mostly responsible for the symptoms.
“Headache and neck stiffness may develop if the central nervous system’s mental status changes. Septic shock can happen if the bloodstream,” Adalja explained.
Antibiotics are used to treat listeriosis.
How to react if you believe you’ve been exposed
Be on the watch for any symptoms of listeriosis if you believe you consumed items that may be connected to the epidemic.
If you experience any symptoms, speak with a medical professional right away. The majority of people will only experience mild symptoms, but for those who are at high risk for serious illness, the infection can swiftly turn fatal.
Adalja stated that simple gastroenteritis in an immunocompetent host can self-limit, but any risk factors should trigger the start of antibiotics.
