[ad_1]
An outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections that has been attributed to certain soft cheeses has been declared over by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of May 14, there were 13 confirmed patients. A dozen patients were so sick that they had to be hospitalized. One patient died. The patients live in four states. Their illnesses began on dates ranging from October 20, 2020 to March 17, 2021, with 12 illnesses occurring in 2021, according to the CDC.
The cheese products involved have passed their shelf life and should no longer be available for sale, according to an update from the Food and Drug Administration. However, it can take up to 70 days after exposure for symptoms of Listeria infection to develop.
Due to the long incubation period, anyone who has eaten any of the cheeses involved should monitor themselves in the coming weeks for any signs of infection.
The cheese was recalled in February. The queso fresco cheeses manufactured by El Abuelito Cheese Inc. affected by the recall are:
Brand Product Name Size Container Type UPC Code Cheese El Abuelito Quesillo Abuelito 12oz Vacuum Packaging 673130200000 Quesillo Abuelito 5Lbs Vacuum Bag Bulk Bag 673130500001 Quesillo Abuelito 10Lbs Vacuum Bag Bulk Bag 673130600008 El Viejito El Viejito 10Lbs Bulk Vacuum Bag Bagano 718122180950 El Pais18649968 Vacuum bag El Pais Vacuum bag Paisano 10Lbs 799456415482 El Sabrosito Vacuum bag El Sabrosito 10Lbs 749390337586 Vacuum bag La Cima La Cima 5Lbs 072632891653 Vacuum bag San Carlos fine 5Lbs 851800004145 San Carlos vacuum bag 10Lbs San Carlos Ideal vacuum bag 6149200 Ideal vacuum bag 8149200200 Ideal vacuum bag 6149 Bag 6149200 Ideal vacuum bag 8149200 6149200 Ideal vacuum bag 6149 200
Those ill were aged between 1 and 75 years, with a median age of 52 years. Twelve people were Hispanic and seven people were women.
Public health investigators used the PulseNet system to identify the diseases that were part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet maintains a national database of genetic fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illness. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS has shown that bacteria from samples from sick people are closely related genetically. This means that those affected by this outbreak have likely fallen ill from the same food.
Connecticut officials collected samples of El Abuelito-branded Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses for testing at a store where a sick person said they purchased these types of cheeses. On February 19, WGS showed that the Listeria bacteria found in the El Abuelito brand queso fresco were closely related to the Listeria bacteria of people who were sick during this outbreak. This means that people probably got sick while eating this cheese.
On February 19, El Abuelito Cheese Inc. recalled all queso fresco products made in its factory. They have also stopped producing and distributing all of their products.
About Listeria Infections Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled, but can still cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. Anyone who has eaten a recalled product and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should see a physician and inform their physician of the possible exposure to Listeria.
In addition, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms over the next several weeks, as it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to resolve. develop.
Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle pain, severe headache, and stiff neck. Specific lab tests are needed to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.
Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients with weakened immune systems are especially at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women have only mild flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature labor, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.
(To subscribe to Food Safety News for free, click here.)
[ad_2]
picture credit