ATLANTA — Georgia is one of 13 states where people have been infected with an outbreak of listeria, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. The outbreak has been linked to meats sliced at delis.
According to a CDC notice, 34 people have been infected with Listeria monocytogenes across 13 states. The outbreak has resulted in 33 hospitalizations and two deaths, one in New Jersey and one in Illinois.
A CDC map shows what states have been identified with infections and approximately how many people have been infected:
- 1 to 2 people: Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri
- 5 to 6 people: Maryland
- 11 to 12 people: New York
The CDC linked the outbreak to deli meat through interviews with the sick individuals. They say 23 of 24 reported eating meat sliced at deli counters, with 13 reporting eating sliced liverwurst. Seven of the 13 said they ate the Boars Head brand.
An unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst product tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Testing is ongoing to determine if the listeria in the liverwurst is the same as the listeria in ill people, and investigators are working to determine if other deli meat products are affected, the notice says. Multiple Boar's Head products have been recalled.
The CDC recommends these steps to avoid contracting the infection:
- Do not eat recalled deli products
- Clean your fridge and other surfaces that may have touched sliced deli meats
- Avoid eating any deli-sliced meat if you are at a higher risk of getting sick unless you heat the meat to an internal temperature of 165°F
Symptoms usually start one to four weeks after eating contaminated food, but listeria may begin as early as the same day or as late as 70 days later.
Listeria is especially dangerous for pregnant individuals. While the individual may experience only fever, fatigue and muscle aches, the listeria infection can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection in the newborn. The CDC says that people who are not pregnant may experience headaches, stiff necks, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, and fever and muscle aches.
