Federal health officials are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria infections that they believe are linked to meats sliced at the deli counter. So far, 28 people have been hospitalized and two have died as part of the outbreak.
“Our investigation is ongoing to determine which deli meat may be contaminated,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a written statement. “We do not have information to show that people are getting sick from prepackaged deli meats.”
People from 12 states thus far have reported feeling sick after eating sliced deli meat. It is unclear at this time which brand or type of meat is causing the illness. Listeria can cause severe illness (known as invasive listeriosis) when the bacteria spread beyond the gut to other parts of the body.
No one from Florida has reported being infected thus far. However, two cases were reported in nearby Georgia. New York has seven cases, the most reported at this time.
Listeria symptoms include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, fever and muscle aches. Symptoms usually start one to four weeks after eating contaminated food with Listeria but may start as early as the same day or as late as 70 days after. Listeria is particularly problematic for pregnant people. They typically experience fever, fatigue, and muscle aches, however, Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
People who are at higher risk for getting sick with Listeria should avoid eating meats sliced at deli counters unless heated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot just before serving. The CDC is recommending people call their healthcare provider if they have symptoms of Listeria and recently ate meats sliced at deli counters. Businesses should follow USDA-FSIS best practices for controlling Listeria contamination in deli areas.
Most people with mild symptoms don’t need treatment. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at risk for more serious infections and doctors may prescribe antibiotics.
If you believe you are sick as a result of eating deli meat, clean your refrigerator, containers and surfaces that may have touched the sliced deli meats and provide information to help the CDC identify the specific deli products.
South Florida Sun Sentinel health reporter Cindy Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentinel.com.
