CDC warn special preparation for deli meats as two die amid listeria outbreak

In the wake of a deadly listeria outbreak , US health officials are warning some people to take extra precautions when eating deli meat.

High risk people such as pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems are being warned to steer clear of consuming sliced deli meats unless they're reheated to a steaming hot temperature at home.

While the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has not called for a food recall as of early Saturday due to uncertainty about which specific products are tainted, there's concern that contaminated items could still be on the market. With two deaths and 28 hospitalizations reported across 12 states, consumers are urged to weigh the risks before indulging in deli meats.

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Officials issued a warning on Friday, suggesting the actual number of cases could be higher than reported since many who recover at home don't seek medical testing. Consequently, the outbreak might have reached beyond the currently identified states, predominantly in the Midwest and along the East Coast.

New York has seen the highest number of affected individuals, with seven cases, while the deaths occurred in Illinois and New Jersey.

Investigators have found that "89% reported eating meats sliced at a deli, most commonly deli-sliced turkey, liverwurst, and ham. Meats were sliced at a variety of supermarket and grocery store delis," according to the CDC.

Genetic testing of samples collected from victims between May 29 and July 5 reveals that the bacteria is closely related.

"This information suggests that meats sliced at the deli are a likely source of this outbreak. However, at this time CDC doesn't have enough information to say which deli meats are the source of this outbreak," the agency announced in a statement on its website last Friday.

Listeria infections typically cause fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, and may lead to stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Symptoms can appear quickly or up to 10 weeks after consuming contaminated food.

Diagnosis usually involves testing bodily fluids, primarily blood, but sometimes urine or spinal fluid, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Listeria infections pose a particular risk for people over 65 and those with weakened immune systems, says the CDC. The ages of those affected in this outbreak range from 32 to 94, with an average age of 75.

For pregnant individuals, listeria can heighten the risk of miscarriages. One victim of the current outbreak was pregnant, but did not miscarry, officials reported.

Infections limited to the gut - intestinal listeriosis - can often be treated without antibiotics, according to the CDC. For instance, extra fluids might be needed while experiencing diarrhea.

A dire warning from health experts: invasive listeriosis , a dangerous infection that can spread beyond the gut, is often combated with antibiotics to prevent blood infections and brain inflammation, as per Mayo Clinic guidelines.

No reports have surfaced of people falling ill from prepackaged deli meats yet. However, for those at higher risk who have these meats in their fridge, there's a way to make them safe: recook them.

"Refrigeration does not kill Listeria, but reheating before eating will kill any germs that may be on these meats," advises the CDC.

This precaution isn't exactly breaking news: The CDC has long advised those more susceptible to listeriosis to either skip deli meats or heat them until they reach an internal temperature of 165 Fahrenheit (74 Celsius) or are steaming hot before consumption.

Not all implicated products in past listeria outbreaks can be saved by heating, though. Over the years, recallsvoluntary or requiredhave been issued for items like cheeses, bean dips, milk, mushrooms, packaged salads, and even ice cream due to listeria concerns.

The AP Health and Science Department, supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education, wants you to know: The AP alone is responsible for this content.