A Listeria deli meat outbreak leaves eight people ill and one death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced three cases in Pennsylvania, two in New York, two in Michigan, and one in New Jersey. All people needed to seek hospitalization. The only death thus far happened in Michigan.

About Listeria

A Listeria infection is a foodborne bacterial illness that can be very serious for pregnant women and people with impaired immune systems. Improperly processed deli meats and unpasteurized milk products breed the bacteria. Plus, it can survive refrigeration and even freezing. However, it is rare for healthy people to get a listeria infection, but the disease can be fatal to unborn babies and newborns.
In pregnant women, invasive listeriosis can manifest as fever and other flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and muscle aches. However, infections during pregnancy can be dangerous and lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
Symptoms of invasive listeriosis usually appear one to four weeks after eating contaminated food. However, some people reported symptoms as late as 70 days after exposure or as early as the same day.

One Dead From Listeria Deli Meat

The CDC has not identified a single common supplier of the listeria deli meat or cheese with the bacteria. However, the agency identified the outbreak strain from samples taken from deli products and deli counters in multiple locations. This led experts to believe these products spread the illness.  All of the sick people reported eating different types and brands of products, including meats and cheeses, sliced at deli counters in many different retail locations.
The agency isn’t recommending to not eat deli meats. However, those at a higher risk of Listeria infection like pregnant women, newborns, adults over 65 and those with weakened immune systems should be careful. This includes avoiding eating lunch meats, cold cuts, or other deli meats unless heated to 165 degrees.

Help after a Listeria Infection

When you experience side effects from severe food poisoning, it can have devastating effects on your entire life. A verdict or settlement could also provide compensation for your injuries and damages. The Michael Brady Lynch Firm is currently accepting Listeria infection injury cases in all 50 states. Therefore, if you or somebody you know was injured by an outbreak of Listeria poisoning, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation.