Who Cut The Cheese? Tainted Deli Goods Are Taking Over Illinois

People in multiple states are getting sick after eating contaminated meats and cheeses. Six states are linked to a listeria outbreak including California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Illinois. Illnesses and death are said to have been attributed to this listeriosis outbreak.

Listeriosis is an infection brought on by eating listeria-contaminated food. Those at the most risk of contracting the illness are newborns, older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women.

The symptoms for pregnant women can include a fever and other flu-like symptoms like fatigue and muscle aches, or worse, according to the CDC.

Infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

Symptoms for older adults or people with weakened immune systems can include headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions along with fever and muscle aches.

What's To Blame The Listeria Outbreak In Illinois?

Listeria is often attributed to lunch meats and cheeses sold at deli counters. The listeria germ can be spread among the food through contaminated meat slicers, surfaces, countertops, and human contact.

Listeria is a hardy germ that can be difficult to fully remove once it is in the deli. It can survive and grow at cold temperatures in the refrigerator. (CDC)

Pinpointing where and how the outbreak began is no easy task even for the CDC. Simply put, all it takes is one contaminated food item to start the spread.

- Illnesses: 16

- Hospitalizations: 13

- Deaths: 1

- States: 6

- Recall: No

How Long Does It Take For Symptoms To Begin?

This is kind of crazy. Some people have reported listeria symptoms starting as far out as 70 days after exposure and as quickly as the same day. However, most symptoms are reported 1 to 4 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria.