2023 Cluster of Foodborne Listeriosis ― Unknown source
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Last updated: 8/10/2023
Overview
The Washington State Department of Health, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and Thurston County Public Health and Social Services are investigating a cluster of illness in five adults over 60 years of age who developed severe infections with
Listeria monocytogenes (listeriosis). All five had compromised immune systems and three of the individuals have died. Genetic fingerprinting results (whole genome sequencing) indicate they likely have the same source of infection. Patients became ill between February 27 and June 30, 2023.
To date, a common food source has not been identified but the investigation is ongoing.
Updates
Update 8/10/2023:
One new Pierce County resident has been identified who was infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes. This brings the total number of outbreak-associated cases to 6. All persons were in their 40s, 60s or 70s when they became ill and all had conditions which make their immune systems less able to fight disease. Patients became ill between February 27th and July 22nd. The investigation into a common food source is ongoing.
Advice to Consumers
There is no specific advice to consumers at this time as a common food exposure has not been identified. Please see below for information about preventing
Listeria infection.
Summary of Illnesses
Description of Ill Persons
| Number Ill | 6 | |
| Hospitalized | 6 | |
| Died | 3 | |
| Age range | | |
| Sex | Female | Male |
| 2 | 4 | |
[TD="colspan: 2"]40, 60s and 70s (years of age)[/TD]
Listeriosis Case Counts
| County of Residence | Total Cases |
| Pierce | 5 |
| Thurston | 1 |
Public Health Actions
The state Department of Health is working with Pierce and Thurston County local health jurisdictions to gather information from interviews with patients and their families to help identify any common exposures.
About Listeria
Listeria bacteria are found in the environment and can spread from contaminated food to surfaces.
Listeria can grow on foods kept in the refrigerator for several days. The bacteria are easily killed by heating food to a high temperature (165°F).
Although healthy, non-pregnant individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea,
Listeria monocytogenes is especially harmful to some people:
- For people who are 65 years or older, Listeria infection often results in hospitalization and sometimes death.
- For people who have a weakened immune system ((have health problems or take medicines that lower the body’s ability to fight germs and sickness), Listeria infection often results in hospitalization and sometimes death.
- For people who are pregnant, Listeria infection can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth, or a life-threatening infection in the newborn.
Symptoms usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with
Listeria monocytogenes but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after exposure.
- People who are not pregnant usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also get a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.
- Pregnant people usually have fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.
How You Can Prevent Listeriosis
People at high risk for listeriosis, including people who are pregnant, people who are 65 years or older, and those with weakened immune systems, can reduce their risk of getting listeriosis by choosing safer foods.
Don't Eat: Unpasteurized soft cheese, such as queso fresco and brie or unheated cheeses sliced at a deli.
Choose These Instead
- Pasteurized soft cheeses heated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot.
- Deli-sliced cheeses heated to 165°F or until steaming hot.
- Hard cheeses, such as cheddar and parmesan.
- Cottage cheese, cream cheese, string cheese, and feta.
Don't Eat: Unheated deli meat, cold cuts, hot dogs, and fermented or dry sausages.
Choose These Instead
- Deli meat, cold cuts, hot dogs, and fermented or dry sausages reheated to 165°F or until steaming hot.
Don't Eat: Premade deli salads, such as coleslaw and potato, tuna, or chicken salad.
Choose These Instead
Don't Eat: Refrigerated pâté or meat spreads.
Choose These Instead
- Pâté or meat spreads in sealed, airtight containers that don’t need to be kept refrigerated before opening.
Don't Eat: Refrigerated smoked fish.
Choose These Instead
- Smoked fish in sealed, airtight packages or containers that don’t need to be kept refrigerated before opening.
- Smoked fish cooked in a casserole or other cooked dishes.
Don't Eat: Raw or lightly cooked sprouts.
Choose These Instead
- Sprouts cooked until steaming hot.
Don't Eat: Cut melon left out for more than 2 hours (1 hour if it’s exposed to temperatures hotter than 90°F, such as a picnic or hot car) or cut melon that's been in the refrigerator for more than a week.
Choose These Instead
- Melon that has just been cut.
Don't Eat: Raw (unpasteurized) milk, yogurt, and ice cream.
Choose These Instead
- Pasteurized milk, yogurt, and ice cream.
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https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-fam...ess/outbreaks/2023-listeriosis-unknown-source
