In brief
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that an infant in California lost their life due to a recent listeria infection, which has also led to the illness of their pregnant mother. The other twin did not test positive for listeria but unfortunately also passed away. The outbreak, spanning from October 2021 to July 2024, has affected eleven individuals across four states. The specific timing of the infant’s death remains unclear.
In response to the outbreak, Yu Shang Food Inc., based in South Carolina, initiated a recall of over 72,000 pounds of ready-to-eat meat products following positive listeria test results on October 21. Notably, the states impacted include California with seven cases, Illinois with two, and one each in New York and New Jersey. The CDC warns that the actual number of infected individuals might be significantly higher, as some cases go unreported due to lack of medical care or the testing process, which can take weeks.Listeria bacteria can contaminate various food items and cause listeriosis, a severe infection primarily affecting vulnerable populations like pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can range from fever and muscle aches to confusion and gastrointestinal disturbances. Listeria is recognized as the third leading cause of death linked to foodborne illnesses in the United States, with an estimated 1,600 infections and 200 deaths occurring annually due to this pathogen.
