Here’s What You Need to Know About All the Listeria Outbreaks—And What Foods Are Affected

You’ve probably heard about the recent Listeria-related recalls. Here’s what you need to know.

You’re not imagining it—Listeria outbreaks have been on the rise in recent weeks. Listeriosis has sickened more than 30 people in 13 states in recent weeks and two deaths have been reported. Affected products include deli meats and several varieties of bagged produce.

An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis every year, according to the CDC, and about 260 die as a result of the infection. Here’s what you need to know about listeriosis—and how to avoid infection:

What Is Listeria?

Listeriosis is an infection caused by ingesting foods contaminated by a bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes, according to the USDA. Cases are usually mild, but can be fatal—it’s particularly dangerous for pregnant people, people with weakened immune systems, or people over 65 years old.

Listeria occurs naturally in soil, water, decaying vegetation, and the intestinal tracts of animals. It becomes a problem for humans during the food production and manufacturing process, when food is packaged or handled improperly.

Unlike other foodborne bacteria, Listeria can grow in refrigerator temperatures (40 degrees F and below). This means that the longer Listeria-contaminated products are stored in the fridge, the more time the bacteria has to multiply.

High-Risk Foods

These foods pose a higher than normal risk of containing Listeria, per the FDA:

• Products made with raw or unpasteurized dairy (such as soft cheeses, milk, or ice cream)

• Refrigerated, unheated deli meats

• Raw or undercooked hot dogs

• Refrigerated smoked seafood or uncooked seafood

• Soft-boiled or uncooked eggs

• Raw or lightly cooked sprouts

Listeriosis Symptoms

There’s no hard-and-fast rule on when listeriosis symptoms develop. You might start feeling under the weather just a few hours after eating contaminated food, or you might not get sick until a few days later. Here are some common symptoms:

• Fever and chills

• Muscle aches

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Vomiting

In more severe cases, listeriosis can affect the nervous system. If that happens, a sick person might experience:

How to Prevent Listeriosis

At-risk people or caregivers can take steps to prevent Listeria infection. For instance:

• Practice good food safety habits. Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water before, during, and after the cooking process is one of the best ways to prevent foodborne illness. It’s equally important to wash your cooking utensils, such as knives and cutting boards, after working with high-risk foods. Of course, you should clean and sanitize your refrigerator and countertops regularly (and immediately after you discover a recalled product in your kitchen).

• Fully cook your deli meat. High-risk consumers might want to opt for a grilled sandwich, rather than a cold sandwich, and should always make sure their hot dogs are cooked until steaming before eating.

• Pay attention to recalls. When there’s a recall, the FDA will typically send out a press release announcing the affected products and the states in which they were sold. Media outlets, such as Allrecipes, will then report on the recalls. If you see that a product you have at home has been affected, throw it away immediately. You can also refer to the record of Listeria-related recalls the CDC keeps on its website.

What to Do If You Get Listeriosis

If you suspect you might have listeriosis or have eaten something that might be contaminated, the first thing you should do is call your doctor.

People with mild cases may just need to drink lots of fluids and stay near a bathroom for a few days, but staying on top of your symptoms (and in contact with your doctor) is extremely important—a mild infection can become a life-threatening emergency quickly, especially for people with weakened immune systems. 

Read the original article on All Recipes.