State Issues Listeria Warning

Raleigh, NC -- Officials with the North Carolina Division of Public Health are warning pregnant women about the consumption of soft cheeses, hot dogs and deli-style meats and prepared salads.

The warning comes after three cases of listeriosis were identified in Moore, Durham and Mecklenburg counties and a probable case was identified in Buncombe County. Two of the pregnant women miscarried after they contracted the infection. In a third case, the pregnant mom delivered early, but she and her baby are doing well. The probable case involves another pregnant woman who also lost her baby. All four had consumed soft cheeses from a variety of sources.

Listeriosis is, a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis outbreaks have been associated with consumption of unpasteurized (raw) milk and contaminated soft cheeses, vegetables and ready-to-eat meats. The disease affects primarily pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems.

"This is a tragedy, which could have been avoided," said State Epidemiologist Dr. Jeff Engel. "Listeriosis can be prevented by avoiding unpasteurized milk and other potentially contaminated food, especially among vulnerable people."

Although the cases occurred close together in time, State Laboratory of Public Health testing showed different strains of the bacteria were involved. The test says one product doesn't seem to be the blame. That's why public health officials issued a general Listeria warning.

Listeriosis syptoms include fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur. Pregnant women and people with depressed immune systems are most likely to become seriously ill as a result of the disease.

Listeria monocytogenes is found in soil and water. Vegetables can become contaminated from the soil or from manure used as fertilizer. Animals can carry the bacterium without appearing ill and can contaminate foods of animal origin such as meats and dairy products. The bacterium has been found in a variety of raw foods, such as uncooked meats and vegetables, as well as in processed foods that become contaminated after processing, such as soft cheeses and cold cuts at the deli counter. Unpasteurized (raw) milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk are at increased risk to contain the bacterium.

Health officials recommend the following:

· Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk.

· Thoroughly cook raw food from animal sources.

· Wash raw vegetables before eating.

· Wash hands, knives, and cutting board after handling uncooked foods

· Consume perishable and ready-to-eat foods as soon as possible

Recommendations for people at high risk, such as pregnant women and persons with weakened immune systems, in addition to the recommendations listed above include:

· Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats, or deli meats, unless they are reheated until steaming hot.

· Avoid getting fluid from hot dog packages on other foods, utensils, and food preparation surfaces, and wash hands after handling hot dogs, luncheon meats, and deli meats.

· Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, and Camembert, blue-veined cheeses, or Mexican-style cheeses such as queso blanco, queso fresco, and Panela, unless they have labels that clearly state they are made from pastuerized milk.

· Do not eat refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads. Canned or shelf-stable pâtés and meat spreads may be eaten.

· Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood, unless it is contained in acooked dish, such as a casserole. Refrigerated smoked seafood, such as salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna or mackerel, is most often labeled as novastyle, lox, kippered, smoked, or jerky. The fish is found in the refrigerator section or sold at deli counters of grocery stores and delicatessens. Canned or shelf-stable smoked seafood may be eaten.

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