Deadly Listeria Epidemic Linked To Deli Cheese And Meat In Six States!

Deadly Listeria Epidemic Linked To Deli Cheese And Meat In Six States: According to a statement released on Wednesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, deli meat and cheese contamination are to blame for a deadly listeria outbreak that has affected six states.

The FDA advises against eating any meat or cheese from any deli counter without first reheating it “steaming hot” for those at high risk of developing severe disease from listeria infection, such as pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

According to reports from six states, a total of 16 persons have been affected, and 13 of them have been hospitalized. According to a statement from the CDC, Maryland saw one reported fatality and one pregnant woman who fell unwell and miscarried. You may also check Washington Police Say A Man Was Fatally Shot In Northeast!

Seven listeria infections have so far been documented in New York, three in Maryland, two in Illinois, two in Massachusetts, one each in California and New Jersey, two in Illinois, and three in New York. The ages of those afflicted ranged from 38 to 92, with a mean of 74.

Men made up more than half of the sick. According to the CDC, the majority of those affected by the outbreak so far are of Eastern European ancestry or speak Russian, and the organization is still looking into the causes of why this community seems to be more frequently affected than others.

But other infected individuals who became ill could have recovered without medical attention, thus their cases went unreported. The CDC continued, “The true number of sick individuals in this epidemic is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be restricted to the states with confirmed infections.”

Investigators from the CDC discovered that five of the seven New Yorkers who became ill bought sliced deli meat or cheese from at least one NetCost Market location during their interviews with the sick. NetCost Market is a chain of supermarkets that sells items from around the world.

The CDC noted that other states have also had cases of the sickness, with sick individuals reporting consuming meats or cheeses from various delis. Listeria may rapidly spread between food and equipment or surfaces and can be difficult to remove, according to the CDC, making deli counters and food processing facilities popular places for listeria infections.

Illinois under CDC warning of deadly listeria outbreak linked to deli meat, cheese https://t.co/nTvyksidRH pic.twitter.com/2ZOcCampXb

— CBS Chicago (@cbschicago) November 10, 2022

If you’ve bought deli meat or cheese, the FDA advises giving your refrigerator and any containers or surfaces that the food may have touched a thorough cleaning with hot, soapy water. If you get any serious Listeria disease symptoms after consuming meat or cheese from a deli, the CDC advised calling your doctor right away.

Listeria symptoms might show up to 70 days after the infection, but they often appear within four weeks. Sometimes, diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms are the earliest indications of an infection. Headache, stiff neck, fever, muscle discomfort, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions are common aftereffects.

Who Is Most In Danger?

According to the CDC, listeria is the third most common cause of food poisoning-related deaths in the country. Pregnant women, people over 65, people with reduced immune systems, and people with weakened immune systems are most vulnerable to listeria.

Particularly in danger are women who are pregnant. They are 10 times more likely to contract listeria, and pregnant Hispanic women are 24 times more likely to contract the infection, according to the CDC. Pregnant women often only have flu-like symptoms, but a developing fetus is in grave danger.

Pregnancy-related infections increase the risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery, or stillbirth. Listeria infection in newborns can cause meningitis, blood infections, and other serious, possibly fatal consequences. Antibiotics are used to treat listeria infections.

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