- The US Food and Drug Administration is currently tracking an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes of unknown origin.
- Individuals who fell ill with a Listeria infection have recently eaten several types of Hispanic-style cheeses, although no brand or type of cheese has been blamed.
- The number of reported infections is very small, but all people who fell ill with this type of Listeria had to be hospitalized.
Often, when a food contamination problem arises, it is immediately clear that there is a single brand or distributor that should be the source. Sometimes, however, people fall ill with the same strain of bacteria, despite eating different brands of food, and this makes the FDA’s job a little more difficult, requiring further investigation to find the source of the contamination it is causing. sick.
This is the case with a new FDA investigation into an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections in several states in the United States. So far, the researchers believe the problem stems from the consumption of Hispanic-style cheeses, both free and soft, but no brand of cheese has been isolated like the one that is causing disease in people. The FDA has just launched its investigation, so it may take some time for the source to be found, but in the meantime, it’s probably a good idea to avoid the type of food that was associated with the outbreak.
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So far, a total of seven cases of Listeria infection have been associated with this new outbreak. It seems like a very small number, but the real number is likely to be higher, as individuals with milder symptoms may not understand why they are sick or get tested at a hospital or clinic so their case can be added to the stack. In any case, of the seven known cases, all seven had to be hospitalized. Most cases occurred in Maryland (4), but a single case was also seen in each of the following: Connecticut, New York and Virginia.
The FDA also notes that there appears to be a link between disease and cheese making:
The FDA has initiated an investigation and is collecting information to try to determine the source of the outbreak. Although the investigation is ongoing, the CDC’s analysis of epidemiological information indicates that fresh, soft Hispanic-style cheeses are the main hypotheses for the cause of the diseases. No specific type or brand of cheese has been confirmed as the source of the disease. The CDC reported that seven people infected with the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak strain have been reported in Connecticut, Maryland, New York and Virginia. Six of the seven sick people are Hispanic. Of the four people interviewed, three reported eating at least one type of fresh, soft Spanish-style cheese, and all three reported eating queso fresco.
Listeria infections can be extremely serious. Symptoms usually include headache, body aches, fever, and even more severe symptoms such as seizure and confusion. The FDA is asking the public to avoid fresh, soft Hispanic-style cheeses that do not use pasteurized milk. It is still possible that cheese made from pasteurized milk could spread the disease, but it is generally considered a safer option, especially while the FDA is still investigating the outbreak and trying to find the source.
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Mike Wehner has reported on technology and video games over the past decade, covering the latest news and trends in VR, wearables, smartphones and future technology. Most recently, Mike served as technology editor at The Daily Dot and was featured on USA Today, Time.com and numerous other websites and print media. His love of reporting is second only to his addiction to games.