Federal officials are investigating a multi-state listeria outbreak that has killed one person, hospitalized 13 others and caused a pregnancy loss.
At least 16 people have fallen ill from deli meat and cheese purchased at deli counters in at least six states including New Jersey, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Epidemiological and laboratory data show that meat and cheese from deli counters contaminated with listeria are making people sick," the CDC said in a statement. "Listeria is a hardy germ that can be difficult to fully remove once it is in the deli. It can survive and grow at cold temperatures in the refrigerator."
Seven of the cases were reported in New York, three cases in Maryland, two cases in Massachusetts and Illinois, and one case in New Jersey and California.
One death was reported in Maryland. Additionally, one person got sick during their pregnancy, resulting in pregnancy loss; officials did not identify the state.
Sick people range in age from 38 to 92 years.
Eleven of those who fell ill are of Eastern European background or speak Russian.
"Investigators are still working to identify any specific products or delis that may be contaminated with the outbreak strain," the CDC said. "It is difficult for investigators to identify a single food as the source of outbreaks linked to deli meats and cheeses. This is because listeria spreads easily between food and the deli environment and can persist for a long time in deli display cases and on equipment."
Health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the month before they got sick. Of the 12 people interviewed, 11 reported eating meat or cheese from deli counters. Among seven sick people in New York, five bought sliced deli meat or cheese from at least one location of NetCost Market, a grocery store chain that sells international foods. Sick people from other states purchased deli meats or cheeses from other delis.
"Investigators do not believe that NetCost Market delis are the only source of illnesses because some sick people in the outbreak did not shop at a NetCost Market," the CDC said. "A contaminated food likely introduced the outbreak strain of Listeria into delis in multiple states."
The CDC noted that the true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for listeria. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
Listeria can cause severe illness when the bacteria spreads beyond the gut to other parts of the body. Almost all severe illnesses from listeria result in hospitalizations and sometimes death, according to the CDC.
Symptoms -- including high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea -- usually start within two weeks after eating food contaminated with listeria, but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after.
Most people infected with listeria usually get mild food poisoning symptoms and recover without treatment.
You are at higher risk for severe listeria illness if you are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system. Pregnant women usually experience only fever, fatigue and muscle aches. However, listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns.
If you are at higher risk, the CDC says not to eat meat or cheese from any deli counter, unless it is reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any symptoms of severe listeria illness after eating meat or cheese from a deli.
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