A pregnant Minnesota woman was one of 28 people sickened as part of a nationwide listeria outbreak that has also killed two people in other states. So what is listeria, and what’s important to know about it?
Listeria is a bacterium that can contaminate many types of food and, when eaten, can cause an infection called listeriosis. Health officials have focused on processed meats as a source of the current outbreak.
“Many people in this outbreak are reporting eating meat that they cut at delis,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a public notice Friday. “Investigators are gathering information to determine which specific products may be contaminated. Products sold at delis, particularly those cut or prepared at delis, may be contaminated with Listeria. Listeria spreads easily on delis equipment, surfaces, hands, and food.”
According to the CDC website, pregnant people and their newborns, adults 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are most likely to get sick from listeriosis. Others can get it, but rarely get seriously ill. Pregnant people who get sick from listeriosis can miscarry or give birth prematurely, and it can cause serious illness or death in newborn babies.
The Minnesota woman who had listeriosis gave birth to a healthy baby, said Amy Barrett, a spokeswoman for the Minnesota Department of Health. The woman was hospitalized for several days and has since recovered.
According to CDC recommendations, people at higher risk for listeriosis should do the following:
- Do not eat meat that has been cut in a delicatessen. Heat the meat until it is piping hot or has an internal temperature of 74 degrees Celsius.
- Clean your refrigerator, containers, and surfaces that have come into contact with sliced meats.
- Contact your health care provider if you experience symptoms, which the CDC says typically include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue.
New York has had the most confirmed cases so far, with seven. The other states affected by the listeria outbreak are mainly along the East Coast and in the Midwest, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri and Illinois.
The number of sick people is likely higher than 28 because some people are recovering without medical care and not being tested, the CDC said. A national investigation into the outbreak is underway. More information is available on the CDC’s website at cdc.gov/listeria.