On July 19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an alert about a dangerous listeria outbreak. This outbreak has affected 13 states in the Midwest and Northeast, with 34 reported illnesses, 33 hospitalizations, and two deaths. However, the CDC warns that the actual number of cases might be higher, and the outbreak could extend beyond the known states.
The current investigation indicates that these recent illnesses likely started with freshly sliced deli meats cut on the counter, such as ham, turkey, and liverwurst. One brand to be especially wary of is Boar’s Head Deli Meats, a delicatessen provider that has recalled over 200,000 pounds of meat due to the current outbreak. Consumers are advised to specifically look out for Boar’s Head liverwurst, ham, and bologna, among others.
The cases that were reported were submitted from May 29 through July 7, and were recorded in the following states: Wisconsin, North Carolina, New York, Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Missouri, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, and Georgia. The two deaths were recorded in New Jersey and Illinois.
What If You Have Consumed Contaminated Deli Products?
If you think you might have eaten contaminated deli meats or cheeses, it’s important to know what to do next. Listeria is a bacteria that can cause a serious illness called listeriosis. Here’s what you should do:
Recognize the Symptoms
First, you need to know the symptoms of listeria infection. These can include but are not limited to:
- High fever
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Muscle aches
If you experience any of these symptoms after eating deli products you recently got from the shop, you should contact your healthcare provider right away. Depending on the severity, listeriosis patients may be treated with antibiotics.
Who is Most at Risk
While most people won’t be severely affected by listeria, there are certain groups of people who are more prone to getting very sick from bacteria. These include:
- Pregnant women
- Newborns
- Older adults
- People with weakened immune systems
If you or someone in your household falls into one of these groups and starts feeling sick, please get medical care immediately.
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Take Preventive Actions
Even if you aren’t feeling sick, here are steps you can take to protect yourself:
- Avoid More Deli Products: Until the outbreak is over, it’s a good idea to avoid eating freshly sliced deli meats and cheeses for now.
- Reheat Deli Meats: If you happen to have deli products that you would like to use up without wasting them, you can still eat them, provided that you heat them until they are steaming hot. This may kill any listeria bacteria that might be present. However, please be warned that it is generally not recommended, especially when there is a recall or outbreak going on. If the deli products you have are part of the recall, you should definitely discard them. It is better not to risk your health and just toss the products for your safety and peace of mind.
- Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces often, especially after handling deli products. It’s also a good idea to clean your refrigerator where you might have kept deli products, as cross-contamination can occur rapidly.
- Contact Health Authorities: If you think you have been affected by the outbreak, you can report your illness to local health departments. This can help public health officials track the outbreak and prevent more people from getting sick.
Stay Informed
Keep an eye on updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health authorities. They will provide the latest information about the outbreak and when it is safe to eat deli products again. Alternatively, you can also follow the CDC’s official Facebook page for quicker access to information.
By knowing the symptoms of listeriosis, taking preventive steps, and staying informed, you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of listeria contamination.
Keep in Mind
Listeria is a type of bacteria that can affect and contaminate many kinds of foods. Outbreaks are often connected to deli meats and cheeses because the bacteria live and grow well in the cold temperature settings of deli storage cases and refrigerators. It easily spreads through deli equipment and other machinery and can also contaminate hands when deli products are not handled following standard food safety practices. Moreover, refrigeration does not kill listeria, so the safest way to consume these meats is to heat them up to a high temperature before eating.
Listeriosis, which is the illness caused by listeria, can cause severe and sometimes deadly infections, especially in young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms like severe headache, high fever, stiffness, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. Those with weakened immune systems should avoid freshly cut deli meats, including freshly sliced cheeses, until the investigation is complete.
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From The Club
I love delicatessen meats, especially on sandwiches. I’ve always known that they can carry bacteria simply because they’re usually eaten cold. But I never realized that, that bacteria could be listeria. I’ve only ever known listeria to be present in hotdogs. It’s really sad to hear about the deaths caused by this outbreak. That really gives you an idea as to how serious a listeriosis infection can be. From now on, I’m always going to heat all deli products I get from the shop just to be safe.