The CDC is warning about a listeria outbreak affecting 28 people in 12 states. This outbreak might be linked to deli meats.
So far, two people have died—one in Illinois and one in New Jersey. All 28 people who got sick were hospitalized.
New York has the most cases with seven, followed by Maryland with six. Other affected states include Illinois, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
The CDC thinks the actual number of sick people might be higher because some don’t see a doctor or get tested. It also takes time for cases to be reported.
The CDC and other agencies are working to find the source of the outbreak. Many people who got sick reported eating deli meats, but there’s no evidence that prepackaged deli meats are involved.
Of the 18 people interviewed, 16 said they ate deli meats like turkey, liverwurst, and ham. The meats came from various grocery store delis.
The cases have been reported from May 29 to July 5. Patients range in age from 32 to 94, with an average age of 75. Most patients are white, with some being Black or African American, and a small number are Asian.
Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis, a serious infection. Symptoms usually start one to four weeks after eating contaminated food but can start sooner or later.
About 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and around 260 die from it. Pregnant people, newborns, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk.
Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, stiff neck, confusion, or loss of balance. Pregnant people might only have fever and flu-like symptoms.
The CDC advises at-risk people to avoid deli meats unless they are heated to 165°F or steaming hot. If you have symptoms of listeriosis and have eaten deli meats recently, contact your healthcare provider.