CDC warns of listeria outbreak at delis, what to know

(WTAJ) — Meat slices sold at delis have been linked to a listeria outbreak affecting Pennsylvania and 11 other states.

The CDC is alerting customers and delis on what they should do to stay safe from the outbreak, which has sent 28 to the hospital and killed two. Currently, New York has the most reported cases with seven. Pennsylvania only has one reported case as of July 19.

So far, the CDC is collecting information from those sick to determine specific products that may be contaminated. Products that are sold at delis, especially those sliced ore prepared at the deli, can be contaminated with listeria.

The CDC said it’s easy for listeria to spread on deli equipment, surfaces, hands and foods. Also, refrigeration does not kill listeria, but reheating to a high enough temperature before eating will kill any germs these meats might have.

Those who are pregnant, 65 years or older or have a weakened immune system are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill, according to the CDC. Those people should:

• Not eat any meats that were sliced at any deli counter, unless it is reheated to an internal temperature of 165 ° F or until steaming hot.
• Clean your refrigerator, containers and surfaces that may have touched sliced deli meats.
• Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms:
  • People who are not pregnant usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.
  • Pregnant people usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. However, Listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns.
• Provide information to help us identify the specific deli products
  • If you are sick with Listeria , local or state health officials may contact you to find out what you ate in the month before you got sick. They may also ask for copies of receipts, your shopper card number, or leftover food for testing.

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For those who own deli businesses, the CDC has listed the best practices to avoid a listeria outbreak.

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