A listeria outbreak linked to sliced deli meat across 12 states of USA has left 2 dead and 28 hospitalized, said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a news release on Friday. Listeria infection can cause listeriosis, a foodborne bacterial illness that can affect pregnant women, people above 65 years of age and those with weak immune system. The bacteria can survive refrigeration and can thrive in read-to-eat foods or unpasteurized dairy products.
The CDC warned people who are at higher risk of getting sick from listeria to avoid eating meats sliced at deli counters unless they heat those meats to 165 degrees, or until they are steaming hot. Deli is a store that sells ready-to-eat food products such as cooked meats and prepared salads.
