US CDC advises people to avoid eating deli meat as it probes Listeria outbreak

The United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)is investigating a fatal outbreak of Listeria food poisoning, American media reported early Sunday (July 21). The Listeria bacteria has been blamedfor two deaths and 28 hospitalisations across 12 states in the US.

The CDC advised peoplewho are pregnant, elderly, or have compromised immune systems to avoid eating sliced deli meat unless it’s recooked at home to be steaming hot.

Citing health officials, a report by the news agency Associated Press said that the number of infections waslikely an undercount because people who recover at home were not likely to be tested. For this same reason,the outbreak may have spread wider than the states where the bacteria's spread was reported.

Largest number of cases in New York

The largest number of Listeria cases have been reported in New York, the Associated Press report said. Of the people investigators managed to interview, 89 per centreported eating meats sliced at a deli, most commonly deli-sliced turkey, liverwurst, and ham, the CDC said, adding, that these meats were sliced at a variety of supermarket and grocery store delis.

Samples collected from victims from May 29 to July 5 show the bacteria was closely related genetically, the CDC added.

“This information suggests that meats sliced at the deli are a likely source of this outbreak. However, at this time CDC doesn’t have enough information to say which deli meats are the source of this outbreak,” it further said.

Symptoms of Listeria

Listeriatypically causesfever, muscle aches, and tiredness and may cause stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.These symptoms can occurquickly or for up to 10 weeks after eating contaminated food.

The Mayo Clinic has said that the bacteria can be diagnosedby testing bodily fluids, usually blood, and sometimes urine or spinal fluid. Listeria is especially dangerous for people older than 65 and those with weakened immune systems, according to the CDC.

The CDC has not yet made afood recall as it remainedunclear what specific products have been contaminated with the bacteria.

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Over the years, Listeriahas provoked voluntary or mandated recalls of cheeses, bean dips, milk, mushrooms, ice cream, and packaged salads.

Is prepackaged deli meat safe?

Till now,there’s no sign that people are getting sick from prepackaged deli meats. The report said thatat-risk people who already have deli slices in their refrigerator can be sanitised by being recooked.

“Refrigeration does not kill Listeria, but reheating before eating will kill any germs that may be on these meats,” according to the CDC.

(With inputs from agencies)