Deli meat listeria outbreak in Indiana & 12 other states kills 3 and sickens dozens

A listeria outbreak linked to deli meats has sickened at least one person in Indiana and dozens more across the country, prompting a lawsuit from a Minnesota pregnant woman who said she almost lost her unborn child after getting sick.

Three people have died since health officials began tracking the outbreak in July. After the bacteria was found in Boar's Head sliced deli meats, including liverwurst, the company recalled all its deli products, including prepackaged meats.

Listeria is particularly dangerous for pregnant people, those who are 65 and older and people with weakened immune system, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The federal agency recommends that people susceptible to getting seriously sick avoid deli meats or cook them.

What does listeria do to the human body?

For pregnant people, listeria can cause miscarriages, premature births or a life-threatening infection for the newborn, according to the CDC.

For older adults or those with weakened immune systems, the bacteria can lead to hospitalization and even death.

What are the symptoms of listeria infection?

Symptoms, which start within two weeks after eating contaminated foods, include fever, muscle aches, tiredness.

People who are not pregnant may have additional symptoms, including headaches, stiff neck, confusion loss of balance or seizures.

What food can listeria be found in?

Listeria can be found in deli meats, hot dogs, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits and unpasteurized dairy products, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Can people survive listeria?

Most healthy people who are infected recover without hospitalization, according to the CDC. But the bacteria infection kills one in 6 older adults.

Binghui Huang can be reached at 317-385-1595 or Bhuang@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Deli meat listeria outbreak in Indiana & 12 other states kills 3 and sickens dozens