A multi-state listeria outbreak linked to deli meat sliced at counters is under investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
On July 19, the CDC announced in an investigation notice that the outbreak had resulted in the deaths of two individuals and the hospitalization of at least 28 others.
Impact of Listeria
Listeria is a kind of bacteria that can kill people who have weaker immune systems, like the elderly and pregnant women.
The notice from the CDC says that many people who got sick from the outbreak said they ate meat sliced at deli counters.
CDC Advice
The agency has not issued any recalls as of yet in response to the listeria outbreak.
However it is now advising the public, particularly those who are at a high risk of severe illness from listeria, to avoid meats sliced at a deli counter or to thoroughly reheat the meat before eating it.
July Outbreak
The CDC announced that there was a listeria outbreak in July 2024 that affected deli meat that was sliced at store counters.
The organization expressed that of the 18 individuals ill with listeria who were interviews as part of the investigation, 16 ate meats cut at an assortment of supermarket and grocery store deli counters.
“Likely Source”
The most frequently mentioned cuts of meat were turkey, liverwurst, and ham.
In the investigation notice the CDC said: “This information suggests that meats sliced at the deli are a likely source of this outbreak.”
Lack of Recalls
The notice continued: “However, at this time CDC doesn’t have enough information to say which deli meats are the source of this outbreak.”
There has not been any recalls of deli meat issued as of right now linked to listeria outbreak.
Affected States
The outbreak’s 28 confirmed victims are spread out across 12 states in the United States: Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Since it can take three to four weeks to determine whether a sick person is part of an outbreak, the CDC says that the actual number of sick people is probably higher than reported.
Varying Symptoms
Listeria infection, also known as listeriosis, has a variety of symptoms.
The CDC says that newborns, pregnant women, people 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely at risk of a severe illness from listeria.
Differing Conditions
Listeria symptoms in pregnant women include fever and flu-like symptoms like muscle aches and fatigue.
However in non-pregnant people the symptoms include fever, muscle aches and lethargy as well as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures.
Onset of Illness
The CDC states that listeria symptoms can begin as soon as two weeks after eating food that has been contaminated with the bacteria.
Nonetheless, side effects can begin as soon as the date of consumption or as late as 10 weeks subsequent to eating the food.
Higher Risk
According to the CDC, cold cuts and deli meats generally carry a higher risk of listeria than other foods.
However, it appears that only meats sliced at deli counters in stores are affected by the listeria deli meat outbreak in July 2024.
Advisories
Other foods that are more likely to contain listeria include: Premade deli salads, smoked fish, unpasteurized dairy products made from raw milk, hot dogs and fermented or dry sausages, soft cheeses mostly made from unpasteurized milk like queso fresco, brie, and camembert.
Sliced meat from deli counters should only be served after being reheated to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Before eating, allow it to cool and clean any surfaces such as your fridge which may have come into contact with sliced deli meat.
