A Listeria Outbreak 2022 Story You Never know

Listeria Outbreak 2022 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, elderly or pregnant people are particularly vulnerable to listeria outbreak 2022

According to the government, the bacteria is connected to lettuces, lettuces that have been incorrectly stored, meats, cheeses, and other goods. One person has died, more than a dozen others have become unwell, and a pregnancy has been lost as a result of a recent outbreak. Pregnant women, people over 64, individuals with impaired immune systems, and newborns are those who are most at danger.
According to the CDC, listeria has been linked to deli meats and cheese in six states, where it has been linked to 16 cases and one death.

Between April 2021 and September 2022, there were seven infections in New York, three in Maryland (of which one person died), one in New Jersey, two in Massachusetts, two in Illinois, and one in California.

Many people don't know about

What is Listeria?

Listeria monocytogenes is a dangerous infection that can result in listeriosis. After consuming contaminated food, people typically get listeriosis. Pregnant women, infants, elderly persons, and those with compromised immune systems are the disease's main targets. Other groups rarely have listeria infection-related illness.

For pregnant women, listeriosis often causes a minor illness, but it can be extremely dangerous for the developing foetus or newborn child. Some individuals with Listeria infections get severe bloodstream or brain infections that result in sepsis, most frequently elderly 65 years of age and older and individuals with compromised immune systems (causing meningitis or encephalitis). Listeria infections occasionally spread to the bones, joints, and areas of the chest and abdomen as well as other parts of the body.

Symptoms of Listeria

Depending on the individual and the affected body part, listeriosis can result in a range of symptoms. Similar to other foodborne pathogens, Listeria can cause fever and diarrhea, however it is uncommon to see this particular Listeria infection

. Whether a person is pregnant affects how they feel if they have invasive listeriosis, which means the bacteria has moved outside of the gut.

Pregnant women:

Generally, pregnant women only experience fever and other flu-like symptoms, like exhaustion and muscle aches. But infections during pregnancy can result in miscarriage, stillbirth, early delivery, or a baby who contracts a life-threatening infection.

People who are not pregnant:

In addition to fever and muscle aches, symptoms may also include convulsions, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and headaches.
Those who have invasive listeriosis typically report symptoms appearing 1 to 4 weeks after consuming Listeria-tainted food, while some have described symptoms appearing up to 70 days after exposure or even the same day.

Diagnosis

Listeriosis is often identified when Listeria monocytogenes grows in a bacterial culture, a sort of laboratory test, from a body tissue or fluid, such as blood, spinal fluid, or the placenta.

Treatment

Antibiotics are used to treat listeriosis.

How people get infected with listeria?

Listeria monocytogenes-contaminated food is typically the source of listeriosis. The placenta can transfer Listeria bacteria if an infection develops during pregnancy.

If you ate food that have been contaminated with Listeria?

If you experience a fever within two months of consuming potentially contaminated food, along with other signs of suspected listeriosis including exhaustion and muscular aches, you shouldconsult a doctor right away. If you are expecting, older than 65, have a compromised immune system, or are pregnant, this is very crucial.

Most specialists agree that you do not require tests or treatment if you ate food that might havebeen infected with Listeria and do not feel ill. If you have any concerns about what to do after consuming potentially contaminated food, speak with your healthcare professional.

Precautions

• Pregnant women, those over 65, and those with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to Listeria infections, as are those who prepare meals for them.
• Recognize which foods carry risk and steer clear of them.
• Avoid consuming soft cheeses prepared from raw (unpasteurized) milk.
• Be cautious that Mexican-style cheeses manufactured from pasteurized milk, including queso fresco, have caused Listeria infections, probably as a result of becoming infected during the cheese-making process.