Two dead and 28 sick from sliced deli meat contaminated with deadly bacteria

Two people have died and more than 20 have been infected by Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to sliced ​​deli meat.

of CDC The department said Friday that 28 people in 12 states have become sick and two have died from listeria bacteria that has been linked to sliced ​​deli meat.

Health officials are warning people not to eat meat bought from delis unless it’s reheated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees, high enough to kill bacteria.

Keeping meat cold will not eliminate Listeria.

CDC investigators are still gathering information about the outbreak to determine its cause. The exact source of Listeria.

“Many people in this outbreak have reported eating sliced ​​meat from the deli counter,” the CDC said.

The CDC advises vulnerable populations, including the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women, to take extra precautions and avoid deli meats that have not been properly reheated.

These people should also clean all surfaces and containers that may have come into contact with the sliced ​​deli meat.

The CDC did not say where the outbreak occurred, what specific products were affected, or how many people were hospitalized.

The announcement came a day after it was revealed that two people have died and 10 have become sick in Canada from Listeria bacteria found in almond milk and other non-dairy alternatives.

Nine of those cases have been hospitalized, most of them in Ontario.

They were taking Silk brand oat, almond, cashew and coconut milk alternative.

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Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause listeriosis, a bacterial infection that can lead to serious illness and death.

Warning signs of Listeria infection include nausea, cramps, diarrhea and constipation, which usually appear within a few hours to three days after consuming contaminated food.

More than 90% of patients are hospitalized, according to the FDA.

In severe cases, the bacteria can spread to the nervous system, causing meningitis (inflammation of the fluid surrounding the brain) or sepsis.

Both can be fatal.

Officials say people with weakened immune systems and those over 60 are at particular risk of infection.

Pregnant women with Listeria infection also have a higher risk of miscarriage because the bacteria can be transmitted to the fetus.

It is estimated that about 1,600 people become infected with Listeria each year in the United States, and about 260 die from it.