Daily Brief: 2017.3.13
THREAT ANALYSIS
Listeria Outbreak
Federal investigators have revealed that two people have died and four more hospitalized in an outbreak of Listeria linked to cheese made using raw milk. The outbreak reportedly began last September and has impacted four states so far.
(Sources: NBC News, CIDRAP)
Listeriosis is a serious infection that is typically caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The disease primarily affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. Healthy people rarely become ill from listeria infection. Symptoms typical of listeriosis are fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Listeria causes an estimated 1,600 cases illnesses each year in the U.S., but just half are reported. About 18 percent of listeriosis patients die.
(Sources: CDC, Fox News)
States impacted by the outbreak include Connecticut, Florida, New York and Vermont. The people made ill by the cheese ranged in age from less than 1 year old to 89 years old, with a median age of 55.
(Sources: CNN, Food safety)
ACTION STEPS
- Eight cheeses from Vulto are now under nationwide recall: Heinennellie, Miranda, Willowemoc, Ouleout, Andes, Blue Blais, Hamden & Walton Umber because of potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
- Consumers should not eat the recalled soft raw milk cheeses. Restaurants and retailers have also been warned against serving or selling these products.
- Individuals most at risk of listeria infection should utilize proper preventative techniques to help mitigate the threat of listeria infection.
(Sources: CDC, Food safety)