Listeria Symptoms, Bacteria Outbreak & Meningitis Infection

A press release was recently issued regarding one case of listeriosis and one case of brucellosis in Delaware, which are believed to be linked to raw dairy products.  This press release was issued by Delaware Health and Social Services, after the Delaware Division of Public Health identified simultaneous cases of the illnesses in a 58 year old New Castle County woman and a 44 year old Sussex County man.

Listeria and brucellosis are bacterial infections that usually affect those consuming contaminated animal products such as raw dairy products and foods.  Both of these individuals had eaten raw dairy products before becoming sick.  The Sussex County man had also reportedly handled raw poultry products before becoming ill with listeria.  Both individuals were hospitalized, and the man with listeria was still hospitalized as of June 15th but in stable condition.

Delaware prohibits the sale of raw dairy products, which have been connected to several outbreaks in the United States thus far this year, including an E. coli outbreak in Minnesota recently.  While listeria can be contracted in several different ways, it is commonly spread through consuming contaminated vegetables or raw milk that is not pasteurized.

Raw milk often contains harmful bacteria, and pasteurizing requires milk to be heated to a temperature that kills bacteria such as listeria, e. coli and salmonella.  The sale of raw milk is legal in 26 states.  DPH announced that it will begin inspecting retail food establishments for illegal sales of unpasteurized milk in light of the recent illnesses.

Listeria food poisoning bacteria usually cause mild symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain, but can cause serious complications in some individuals including the very young, the frail or elderly, and those with a weakened immune system.

This article was compiled by Dataflurry internet marketing, working on behalf of buffalo personal injury attorneys at Brown Chiari.

Over the first few months of this year, 7 people in Texas have become ill from listeriosis, and 2 have died.  This unusual cluster of foodborne listeria illnesses has been near the San Antonio area, and the source of the outbreak has yet to be identified by health officials.

Evidence to date does appear that all of the illnesses most likely came from the same produce, as genetic analysis identified a common bacterial strain among all of the individuals who became ill.  DNA patterns isolated from blood samples or stools of those who became ill were indistinguishable.  This, according to health officials, suggests that all of the victims had eaten the same food.  It is difficult to pinpoint the exact source of the listeria food poisoning bacteria due to the fact that those who became ill are scattered around a 300 mile radius.

The first case of listeriosis was reported in January of this year, with the most recent being reported on May 6th.  According to Roger Sanchez, a senior epidemiologist at the local health department, the victims range in age from 66 to 93.

So far this year, listeria monocytogenes has been the reason for several recalls including:

822 pounds of prosiutto products recalled by Greco and Sons

460 pounds of fully cooked crumbled pork sausage products recalled by Custom Corned Beef, Inc. of Denver, CO.

The sale of raw milk products by a Pennsylvania dairy was prohibited because of positive tests for listeria

Ham was recalled in Minnesota

Approximately two weeks ago, the USDA-FSIS issued a public health alert for various ready-to-eat deli meat products due to potential contamination with listeria.

While this is a small outbreak, it has unfortunately affected mostly the elderly.  With most cases of food poisoning, the frail and elderly are at great risk of complications than younger, healthier individuals.

Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches and occasional nausea or diarrhea; however, if it enters the nervous system individuals may experience a stiff neck, headache, loss of balance, confusion or even convulsions.

Individuals who suspect listeria or have tested positive are urged to consult with a New York food poisoning attorney to learn your legal rights.

Over the course of this year, seven people have become sickened in Texas with an infection caused by Listeria monocytogenes.  Listeriosis has now taken the lives of two elderly people.  This is not surprising, as most food poisoning related illnesses are most dangerous in certain groups of individuals, including the elderly.  The seven people who have become ill so far are from Bexar County, Travis County and Hidalgo County.  The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District states that the victims who died ranged in ages from 66 to 93.

While this has been a relatively small outbreak, Roger Sanchez who is senior epidemiologist with the Metropolitan Health District says it may be hard to pinpoint the source of the Listeria food poisoning infection, because two of the patients lived 300 miles apart.  He also said that genetic analysis performed found that the strain of bacteria in all patients was identical, which means the victims were likely infected by the same food item.

While this is not a large outbreak or epidemic, what makes it sad is that it infected two people who were fragile and elderly, taking their lives.  Sanchez also stated that most who became infected suffered serious underlying health problems, which made them more susceptible to serious complications that can develop from the infection.

So far this year, reports of illness due to Listeria food poisoning in Texas have ranged from January to the most recent case discovered on May 6.  The San Antonio Metropolitan Health District also believes it is likely that other individuals become ill with food poisoning, but developed only flu-like symptoms and did not become seriously ill.

Individuals who develop flu-like symptoms after eating foods possibly tainted with Listeria should contact a doctor at once.  Symptoms often include diarrhea, stomach cramps and nausea.  While symptoms are usually only mild in healthy individuals, they may become more serious and even life-threatening in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.

Contact a New York food poisoning attorney if you or a loved one become ill after consuming foods that are possibly contaminated by Listeria.