According to the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration and state officials, these cheeses are a likely source of an outbreak that put seven people in the hospital in Connecticut, Maryland, New York and Virginia.
“People who are not at a higher risk of serious illness should make sure that the fresh, soft Hispanic-style cheeses (like fresh cheese) they eat have labels that say, ‘Made with pasteurized milk,'” the CDC said in a statement to the press on Friday.
People most at risk for serious listeria diseases, such as pregnant women or people over 65, need to avoid these cheese products, the CDC said.
“Don’t eat any fresh, soft Hispanic-style cheese (like queso fresco, queso blanco and queso pan) until we identify a specific type or brand that is making people sick,” the agency said.
Listeria can cause common symptoms of food poisoning, such as nausea and diarrhea.
“Pregnant women generally experience only fever, fatigue and muscle pain. However, infection with Listeria during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth or life-threatening infection of the newborn,” said the CDC.
“People who are not pregnant may experience headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures, as well as fever and muscle pain,” said the CDC.
“Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any symptoms of severe Listeria after eating fresh, soft Hispanic-style cheeses.”