By July 19, 2024 – A listeria outbreak linked to sliced deli meats has resulted in two deaths and the sickness of more than two dozen individuals across 12 states, according to an announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC reported that 28 people have been sickened by listeria bacteria, traced back to sliced deli meats. The outbreak has claimed the lives of two individuals, while the others have been hospitalized. The health agency is advising the public to avoid eating deli meats unless they are reheated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to eliminate the bacteria.
Keeping deli meats refrigerated does not prevent listeria contamination. CDC investigators are actively collecting data to pinpoint the exact sources of the listeria outbreak. “Many people in this outbreak are reporting eating meats that they had sliced at deli counters,” the CDC stated.
In interviews conducted by the CDC, 16 out of 18 individuals reported consuming sliced deli meats such as turkey, liverwurst, and ham from supermarket and grocery store delis. The agency is continuing its investigation to determine which specific deli meats are contaminated. “We do not have information to show that people are getting sick from prepackaged deli meats,” officials noted.
The CDC has not yet disclosed which specific products have been affected. However, they confirmed that all 28 individuals have been hospitalized, with samples collected from the sick between May 29, 2024, and July 5, 2024.
Among the reported cases is a pregnant woman who successfully recovered from the infection. The two fatalities occurred in residents of Illinois and New Jersey. Affected individuals range from 32 years old to 94 years old.
The CDC emphasized the risk to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and people with weakened immune systems or pregnant women. These groups are advised to take extra precautions, including avoiding deli meats unless properly reheated.
The health agency also advises cleaning all surfaces and containers that may have come into contact with deli meats to prevent further spread of the bacteria.
