What to Know About the Listeria Outbreak Linked to Boars Head Deli Meat
A National Outbreak of Listeriosis
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there has been a multistate outbreak of Listeriosis linked to Boars Head brand deli meat. As of 4/21/23, 16 people have been infected, 13 people have been hospitalized, and one person has died.
Advice from the CDC
The CDC advises consumers to avoid eating recalled products and to clean and disinfect any surfaces that may have come into contact with the recalled products. Anyone who has eaten recalled products and is experiencing symptoms of Listeriosis should seek medical attention immediately.
What is Listeriosis?
Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, Listeriosis can lead to meningitis, sepsis, and death.
Who is Most at Risk?
Listeriosis is most commonly seen in pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Pregnant women are 10 times more likely to get Listeriosis than the general population.
How is Listeriosis Treated?
Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. The type of antibiotic used will depend on the severity of the infection.
How to Prevent Listeriosis
There are a number of things you can do to prevent Listeriosis, including:
- Avoid eating recalled products.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling food, especially raw meat and poultry.
- Cook meat and poultry to a safe internal temperature.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that may have come into contact with raw meat or poultry.
- Pregnant women should avoid eating raw or undercooked meat and poultry, and should wash their hands thoroughly after handling these foods.
Additional Resources
For more information on Listeriosis, please visit the following websites:
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