The CDC issued an outbreak warning Friday, sending ten people from Florida, Massachusetts and New York to hospital and killing one person in Florida.
Presumably Deli Deli was the source of the meat outbreak, the agency said. Nine victims reported eating Italian-style meat such as salami, although the CDC has not yet identified a common meat or supplier as the source.
The median age of the infected was 81 years and most were female. While many listeria are less likely to become seriously ill, people 65 and older, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women have an increased risk of becoming ill.
Listeria can be especially dangerous for pregnant women. Infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
Symptoms of infection usually begin one to four weeks after eating contaminated food and can include fever, muscle aches, headaches, confusion, and loss of balance.
Previous Listeria outbreaks have been linked to hard-boiled eggs, mushrooms and soft cheese.
The CDC advises people who are at high risk of infection to avoid eating deli meat, unless it has been heated well before. The agency advises storing meat in the refrigerator away from other foods and keeping the surrounding surface clean.
The outbreak is under investigation.
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