Q: What is Listeria and what are the symptoms?
Listeria is a rare bacterial infection with 1,600 cases per year however is the 3rd leading cause of death from a food borne illness. Most cases are mild causing diarrhea that lasts a few days and goes away without treatment. However, if goes outside the gut can cause fever, muscle pain, headache, stiff neck, blood infection, and in the worst case may travel to the brain causing meningitis or encephalitis and in rare cases death. The time from exposure to infection can be a few days to 2-3 weeks and sometimes longer.
Q: Where is the Listeria outbreak?
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports 28 people in 12 states have been sick with Listeria after eating deli meat from supermarkets and 2 have died. As of July 19th, New York has the most cases followed by Maryland, Georgia, Missouri, Virgina, Massachusetts and New Jersey. No cases have been reported in Florida. The most common deli meat cited was turkey, then liverwurst and ham. There is no recall of deli meats issued at this time. Recommendation is before you eat deli meat to cook at high temperatures of at least 165 degrees F. You can do this in a microwave setting to “high heat,” and cooking for 30 seconds to a minute or until reaches 165 degrees tested by using a food thermometer.
Q: Who is at risk getting sick from Listeria?
Pregnant women, unborn fetus, people over the age of 65 years, and those whose immune system is weakened. For example, people with cancer, on certain medications, or with AIDS are at higher risk but can happen to anyone. It is spread from contaminated food not person to person with the exception of pregnant women and can be transmitted mother to fetus. If the fetus becomes infected it can be very serious leading to miscarriage and even death.
Q: How do you get Listeria?
In the case of the current outbreak by eating contaminated deli meats, or exposure to equipment or surfaces in contact with the deli meats. Listeria can also be found in eggs, hot dogs, and unpasteurized milk. The Listeria bacteria is killed at high temperature and grows at colder temperatures including the refrigerator and freezer. So important to clean all surfaces when handing food that may be contaminated including containers, counters, and refrigerators.
Q: Can Listeria be treated and diagnosed?
If limited to the gut causing diarrhea and you are not at high risk, then no treatment is needed. If goes outside the gut causing more serious disease can be treated with antibiotics including penicillin. It can be diagnosed in the blood with a special test called a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a technique used to amplify the bacteria to identify quickly. This a fast, highly accurate method and can diagnosis Listeria usually within 24 hours. If you are experiencing the symptoms of severe Listeria infection it is important to seek medical help immediately. The sooner the better so treatment can be effective.
