Listeria Outbreak Sickens Three People in Delaware, One Dead in Texas; CDC Links It to Pre-Cooked Chicken

Delaware and Texas have reported a Listeria outbreak after three people have been hospitalized due to the infection. Sadly, one person from Texas had died. Listeriosis is an infection caused by the rod-shaped Gram-positive bacteria Listeria monocytogenes.

The disease outbreak is linked to precooked chicken. Public health officials are now investigating to discover which pre-cooked chicken is making people sick. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) have cautioned the public when eating pre-cooked chicken.

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Listeria Outbreak Sickens Three People in Delaware, One Dead in Texas; CDC Links it to Pre-Cooked Chicken

Listeria Outbreak in Delaware and Texas

Jolin Business Journal reported that three persons had been diagnosed with the Listeria infection as of July 2, 2021, in Delaware and Texas. The infection began in the days between April 6 and June 5, 2021. The three people were under conservation now as public health officials interview them about the foods they ate in the month before they got sick.

Despite the low numbers being reported, health officials believe that the actual number of infected individuals is certainly larger because some have recovered without getting hospitalized and screened for Listeria. More so, it would take three to four weeks for symptoms of Listeria infection to show.

Based on the interview, officials found a common denominator. They said that the victims are meats prepared with precooked chicken. According to Food Poisoning Bulletin, officials are using the PulseNet system to find people who may also be part of this disease outbreak. Whole-genome sequencing showed that the patients got sick from eating the same food that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Moreover, the USDA found the Listeria strain that caused the outbreak in two samples of precooked chicken during routine product testing. Authorities are now collecting the said food products, although they did not release the brand names, to find a common precooked chicken product.

ALSO READ: Everything You Need to Know About Listeria

CDC Cautions the Public for Listeria Outbreak

The CDC has issued a warning about the Listeria outbreak, saying that the people at higher risk for the severe form of Listeriosis and facilities caring for them should be extra careful when eating or serving pre-cooked chicken.

According to Forbes, people who are at most risk for the severe form of the infection are those people who are 65 years old and above, people who have a weak immune system, and newborns.

The health agency advises avoiding chicken salad or the salad with chicken strips. They said that it is estimated around 1,600 people get sick from Listeria each year in which approximately 260 people die.

Listeria outbreak has been detected in previous years in which they are linked to deli meats, lemons, limes, potatoes, and avocadoes. This year's outbreak does not necessarily mean that people should start eating raw chicken instead of pre-cooked meat. Eating raw chicken could bring more risks.

It is advisable to reheat precooked chicken for at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit before eating it. But in the meantime, it is best to wait for the result of the investigation of what caused the Listeria outbreak in Delaware and Texas.