The CDC Is Warning Of A Listeria Outbreak & They Can't Figure Out Where It's Coming From
Listeriosis cases have been identified in 10 different states already.
A specific food product that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have not yet been able to identify is causing a listeria outbreak in different states across the United States.
Public health officials have been interviewing people affected by this outbreak to determine which foods they had before getting sick. As the investigation continues to be active, there’s been a total of 11 illnesses and ten hospitalizations for listeriosis in 10 different U.S. states.
Although a listeria infection is rare, the illness can be severe and even cause death.
"Listeria is especially harmful if you are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system due to certain medical conditions or treatments," the CDC states. "Other people can be infected with listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill."
Here’s what we know about this illness, according to the CDC.
What is the main cause of listeria?
Listeriosis is an infection caused by the germ of Listeria monocytogenes. According to the CDC, people become ill after eating contaminated food, primarily affecting pregnant women, older adults, babies, and patients with weakened immune systems.
What happens if you get listeria?
Listeriosis can cause different symptoms. The CDC says that fever and diarrhea are some of them.
Additionally, people with invasive listeriosis, meaning the bacteria has spread beyond the gut, present different symptoms depending on whether the person is pregnant or not.
A pregnant person usually experiences fever and other flu-related symptoms, life fatigue, and muscle aches. However, a listeriosis infection during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infections in the baby.
Non-pregnant people usually experience a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, as well as fever and muscle aches.
Where is listeria most commonly found?
The CDC states that listeriosis is mostly caused by eating contaminated food products.
According to the CDC, there are around 1,600 cases of listeriosis every year in the United States.
Current outbreak cases have been identified in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Washington.
For more information about listeria, you can visit the CDC's official website.
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