12 states in Midwest and East coast see listeria illness linked to sliced deli meat

Two people in the United States have died, and 28 people have been hospitalized across 12 states from a listeria outbreak linked to sliced deli meat , federal health officials said Friday.

No cases have been reported in Kentucky as of Tuesday.

According to the CDC, the bacteria that causes potentially foodborne illness is most concerning for anyone pregnant. The CDC recommends those individuals avoid eating meats sliced at deli counters unless the meat is heated up to 165 degrees or is steaming hot.

Is listeria outbreak in Kentucky?

As of late Tuesday morning, no cases had been reported in Kentucky.

More from USA Today: Listeria outbreak linked to deli meat leaves 2 dead, 28 hospitalized in 12 states

How many people have gotten sick in the listeria outbreak?

28 people have been hospitalized and 2 have died, officials said.

CDC said the sick people's samples were collected between May 28 and July 5. During interviews, 16 of 18 said they ate meat sliced at a deli counter, most commonly deli-sliced turkey, liverwurst, and ham. The CDC is currently investigating which types of meat may be contaminated. There is no evidence that prepackaged deli meats made people sick with the disease, the CDC said.

What states have had listeria cases?

The deaths occurred in Illinois and New Jersey, the CDC said, and New York had seven cases, the most of any state.

Maryland had six cases, while Missouri, Virginia, Georgia, and Massachusetts each had two cases. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina each had one case reported.

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Listeria outbreak map

Symptoms of listeria illness

Symptoms, which typically start a week to four weeks after eating contaminated food, include headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, fever, and muscle aches. Symptoms can also start as early as the same day or up to 70 days after.

Anyone who shows symptoms of listeria after recently eating sliced deli meat should contact a health provider.

Contributing: Eduardo Cuevas & Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 12 states in Midwest and East coast see listeria illness linked to sliced deli meat