Listeria-poisoned food kills two in US

The American CDC has linked the outbreak with meat cut at grocery store deli counters

At least two people have died and over two dozen have been hospitalized in the US amid an outbreak of listeria food poisoning, or listeriosis, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a statement on Friday. Listeriosis is a relatively rare bacterial disease considered one of the most severe foodborne infections, with a high mortality rate.

The CDC said it launched an investigation after two people, one in Illinois and one in New Jersey, died from the disease. At least 28 others have been hospitalized. Cases of listeriosis have so far been reported in 12 states, with the largest number of infections in New York.

The CDC said the timeline of the outbreak stretches over several weeks, with the first case reported at the end of May, and the most recent one earlier this month. The authority noted that the true number of people who are part of the outbreak could be higher, because some of those infected may have had a milder form of the illness or not been tested for listeria.

The majority of those infected reported eating meat that was sliced at grocery store deli counters in the month before they got sick. In most cases, people reported eating either deli-sliced turkey, liverwurst, or ham. However, the CDC said it so far “does not have enough information” to say which meats or stores are the source of the outbreak.

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Earlier this week, Canadian health authorities also reported a listeriosis outbreak in which two people have died. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said on Thursday that the outbreak so far includes 12 people from three states. Authorities have linked the illnesses with plant-based milk products under the Silk and Great Value brands. Both products have been recalled.

According to the World Health Organization, listeria can cause disorientation, fever, diarrhea, muscle aches, and convulsions, while in severe cases it can also cause septicemia and meningitis. Refrigeration does not kill the bacteria, which easily survives and multiplies at low temperatures. However, it is susceptible to heat.

The incubation period for listeriosis ranges from a few days to 12 weeks after eating contaminated food. The disease is especially dangerous to high-risk groups such as pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, elderly people and infants.