Janice R. Andrews
According to federal health experts, a listeria food poisoning outbreak connected to sliced meat at grocery store deli counters has resulted in at least two fatalities and over two dozen hospitalisations. The largest number of instances occurred in New York, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which revealed on Friday that 28 persons in 12 states had become ill.
Outbreak Specifics
The two deaths took place in New Jersey and Illinois. The afflicted people said they had eaten deli-sliced meats such gammon, turkey and liverwurst. The outbreak’s origin has not yet been linked by CDC investigators to a particular variety of deli meat. But as of right now, there’s no proof that the diseases are caused by prepared deli meats.
Affected States
Twelve states have reported cases of the outbreak, with New York reporting the highest number. The CDC has not released the identities of the other states involved. With a median age of 75, the affected people range in age from 32 to 94. One of the women who was impacted became unwell, but she was fortunate to keep her pregnancy.
Significance and Perils
Symptoms of listeria infections usually include fever, sore muscles, and exhaustion. Severe cases may worsen to the point that convulsions, disorientation, stiff neck, and loss of balance occur. After eating tainted food, symptoms may appear suddenly or up to ten weeks later. Pregnant women who run the risk of miscarriage, those over 65, and people with compromised immune systems are the groups most at risk from this infection.
Research and Reaction
Samples from the impacted individuals were gathered from May 29 to July 5. Every known case has necessitated hospital stays. The CDC is still looking into the incident and trying to pinpoint the precise source of contamination. Health experts advise people to handle food safely and use caution while consuming sliced meats from the deli.
Preventative Actions
The following safety measures are advised by the CDC to reduce the risk of contracting listeria:
- Unless deli meats are cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F, do not consume them.
- After handling deli meats, properly wash your hands, utensils, and surfaces used for food preparation.
- Eat deli meats within three to five days after storing them in the refrigerator.
Results
The CDC is keeping a close eye on the situation and will update when more data becomes available. Customers are encouraged to protect themselves from possible listeria infection by remaining informed and adhering to suggested guidelines.
