Two dead in Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats; investigation ongoing

At least two people have died in an outbreak of Listeria infections linked to deli meats, according to information released this afternoon.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating the outbreak, which has sickened at least 28 people. All patients have required hospitalization. The patients are spread across a dozen states.

During interviews with public health investigators, patients mentioned eating deli meats sliced at deli counters — not pre-packaged — before becoming sick. Of those interviewed, 16 of 18 patients recalled eating deli meats from deli counters.

The most commonly cited deli meats were sliced turkey, liverwurst, and ham. The meats were sliced at a variety of supermarket and grocery store delis. At this time the CDC doesn’t have enough information to say which deli meats are the source of this outbreak.

Sick people range in age from 32 tp 94 years old. Patients had symptom onset from May 29 through July 5. However, it can take up to 70 days for symptoms of Listeria infection to develop, so additional patients are likely to be identified. Also, the CDC reports that there are likely unconfirmed patients because some people do not seek medical attention and others are not specifically tested for Listeria infection.

Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS).

WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak may have gotten sick from eating this food.

The USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service is working to identify the suppliers of deli meats, sliced at deli counters, purchased by people in this outbreak.

The CDC cautions the public to not eat meat sliced at any deli counter unless it is reheated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F or until steaming hot. Let it cool before you eat it. Listeria can grow on foods kept in the refrigerator, but it is easily killed by heating food to a high enough temperature.

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