An outbreak of listeria is linked to deli meats and has caused the death of one person in Florida, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In a news release, the CDC said 19 people have fallen ill in Florida, Massachusetts and New York over the past three months. Seven cases were reported in Massachusetts and two were reported in New York. The one case in Florida was the fatality.
The multi-state outbreak is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food safety and inspection service.
OUTBREAK ALERT: 10 people hospitalized in a Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats. A specific brand/type of deli meat has not yet been identified. If you are at higher risk of getting sick from Listeria, avoid eating deli meat unless heated to 165°F. https://t.co/tWkcYaZmUS pic.twitter.com/IE3siP1wQ3
— CDC (@CDCgov) October 23, 2020
NIne of the 10 people who were reported ill reported eating Italian-style deli meats, such as salami, mortadella and prosciutto, in the month before they got sick, according to the CDC.
The victims said they bought prepackaged deli meats and meats sliced at deli counters at various locations, the CDC said. A specific type of deli meat and a common supplier have yet to be identified.
The 10 people got sick between Aug. 6 to Oct. 3, the CDC said. They range in age from 40 years old to 89 years old, with a median age of 81, the Sun-Sentinel reported.
Listeria can cause serious foodborne illness in children, seniors, pregnant people and individuals with compromised immune systems, the newspaper reported. The bacteria usually start in animals and can be found in cold cuts and other meats, according to the CDC.
The investigation into the outbreak is ongoing.
Cox Media Group
