3 Useless After Listeria Outbreak in Washington State

Well being officers in Washington State mentioned on Friday that three individuals had died and two had been hospitalized within the Puget Sound space after contracting food-borne listeria infections in what gave the impression to be an outbreak.

Testing indicated that each one 5 sufferers, three males and two ladies, turned sick between Feb. 27 and June 30 and possibly had the identical supply of an infection, officers mentioned, although an investigation had not but recognized a standard meals supply.

Every contaminated particular person was of their 60s or 70s and had a compromised immune system, officers mentioned.

4 of the instances have been in Pierce County, and one was in Thurston County.

The Washington State Division of Well being mentioned it was working with “native well being jurisdictions to collect data from interviews with sufferers and their households to assist determine any widespread exposures.”

Whereas it was nonetheless unclear the place the instances originated, officers mentioned the micro organism have been generally present in unheated cheeses and deli meats, unpasteurized dairy merchandise, and premade deli salads, similar to potato or tuna salads.

Officers added that the microorganism would die at temperatures above 165 levels Fahrenheit.

Final 12 months, a multistate listeria outbreak was linked to contaminated deli meat and cheeses. Different latest outbreaks have been brought on by contaminated store-bought ice cream and leafy greens.

The sickness listeriosis, brought on by the micro organism listeria, is of best menace to older adults, individuals with weakened immune methods and people who are pregnant.

Listeriosis sometimes manifests inside two weeks of consuming contaminated meals and may trigger flulike signs, in line with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. In pregnant individuals, extreme instances can result in miscarriage and different issues.

Washington State information 10 to 25 instances of the an infection every year, in line with the Tacoma-Pierce County Well being Division.

From 2009 to 2021, the newest 12 months for which information is obtainable, the state logged 18 listeria outbreaks that resulted in 238 hospitalizations and 47 deaths, in line with the C.D.C.