The CDC is investigating a listeria outbreak that has killed one person and hospitalized many others in the U.S.
The outbreak appears to be linked to deli meats and cheeses.
At least 16 people have been impacted in California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York, according to Local Syracuse.
At least 13 people have been hospitalized from the outbreak. Others are believed to have impacted, but most people will recover from listeria without medical care or being tested for it.
Samples were collected from people between April of 2021 and September of 2022. Patients are between 38 and 92 years old.
One of the people was pregnant while she got sick, and she lost the pregnancy. Another person in Maryland has died.
The CDC believes the illnesses are linked to meats and cheeses that have touched deli counters, which were contaminated with listeria. Specific brands or delis have not been named that may be responsible for the strain of listeria.
11 of the patients reported eating meat or cheese from a deli counter.
Five of these people are from New York and reported buying sliced deli products from at least one location of NetCost Market. This train sells international foods.
There was also a link made last year between the illness and one of the chain’s delis in Brooklyn as well as Staten Island.
However, investigators do not think NetCost Market is the only deli responsible for the outbreak.
There have been no recalls made regarding the outbreak.
Protect yourself from listeria
Listeria can create flu-like symptoms in those infected. While many people will recover, pregnant women, newborns, and the elderly populations are at highest risk for complications or death.
You can protect yourself from becoming ill by reheating your deli meats to 165 degrees and cleaning your fridge, containers, and surfaces. Always clean them well is they may have come into contact with those foods.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].