A listeria outbreak linked to meat sold at deli counters has killed at least two people and hospitalized more than a dozen, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
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A listeria outbreak caused by meat sold at deli counters in the United States has killed at least two people and hospitalized dozens, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
The CDC said Friday that 28 people have been hospitalized in 12 states.
But federal health agencies have warned that the actual number of cases may be higher than reported because some people may be infected with milder cases that do not require serious treatment.
The states with the most confirmed cases are New York, with 7 cases, and Maryland, with 6 cases. The deceased two lived in Illinois and New Jersey respectively.
Outbreak linked to deli meats sold over the counter
The CDC said investigators are still gathering details about which products may have been contaminated. While it hasn’t gathered enough information to issue any recalls, the agency said there have been no reports of people getting sick after eating prepackaged deli meats.
Many people linked to the outbreak reported becoming ill after eating sliced meat purchased from various supermarkets and deli counters. The CDC recommends that people avoid eating deli meats purchased at delis unless they are heated before eating.
What is Listeria?
Listeria is a foodborne bacterial disease that affects about 1,600 people in the United States each year, killing about 260 of them. It can cause serious or even fatal infections, especially in pregnant women, people 65 and older, children, and people with weakened immune systems. Typical symptoms include fever, muscle aches and drowsiness.
This latest outbreak is the second to hit the United States this summer. In June, a Maryland-based food manufacturer forced Several brands of ice cream products sold across the country are being recalled after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported possible listeria contamination.
