Health officials from the public sector have issued a general health warning against eating meat cut in slices from deli counters in an effort to determine the root of a listeria outbreak which has killed two people and infected at least 28 people across 12 states.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a statement on Friday stating that people who are over 65, who suffer from a weak immune system, or are pregnant should avoid eating meat from the deli counter except if it has been heated until it reached an internal temperature of 160 F or was boiling hot. The groups that are targeted in the notice by CDC are the most vulnerable to a serious outbreak of listeria.

Outbreak details

The cases linked to the outbreak are ranging from individuals aged 32-94, with a the median age being 74. States that have confirmed cases include Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

The real amount of people who are sick could be more than was reported, as it could take between three and four weeks to determine if the person who is sick is a an outbreak victim and some individuals recover without medical attention.

Help for older adults

Women who are pregnant, 65 or over or suffer from an immune system that is weak are advised to avoid eating meat sliced in deli shops, unless they are heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees or until they are steaming hot. Allow the meat to cool before eating it as recommended by the CDC.

In addition to the advice on reheating the deli meat the CDC suggests that people cleanse your fridge, the containers, and other surfaces that might have come into contact with the meats.

If you notice signs of an listeria infection, you should contact your doctor immediately according to the CDC advised. If you’re diagnosed with an infection, you must work with your state or local health officials to share information regarding what you ate during the month prior to getting sick.

“Listeria monocytogenes, the bacteria responsible for listeriosis, is ubiquitous in the environment and can thrive in various conditions, including refrigerated temperatures,” states Darin Detwiler who is an Associate Professor at Northeastern University and a former FDA and USDA Food Safety Advisor.

Listeria as well as Deli meats

The pathogen can be easily spread through:

• sharing equipment Slicers and counters and other equipment that can be used to create multi-products could cross-contaminate objects if not cleaned or disinfected after each use.
• BiofilmsListeria develops biofilms upon exposure to surfaces, making it difficult to remove through routine cleaning.
• RefrigerationListeria is able to survive, and possibly increase in temperatures that are cold which increases the risk of cross-contamination with time.

Because of these reasons even meats that are initially safe can be contaminated once they are in proximity to surfaces or equipment that have been contaminated or equipment, as per Detwiler.

The symptoms of a listeria-related infection

The Listeria diseases pose a serious risk to people who are 65 or over. They tend to be four times more susceptible be affected, according to the CDC.

The signs of an infection caused by listeria includes neck stiffness, along with confusion, convulsions of balance as well as fever fatigue and muscular discomforts.

Pregnant women generally experience discomfort, fatigue and fever-related discomforts. However, listeriariosis could cause pregnancy loss and premature delivery. It can also cause serious illness, or even the death of newborn babies. Anyone who has symptoms of a serious listeria infection must consult their doctor.

More than 1,600 people living in the U.S. get listeriosis each year, which results in the average of 226 deaths each year according to CDC estimate.