Image by Davie Bicker from Pixabay
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced it is investigating a new Listeria outbreak with an unknown source on December 26, 2024.
Not a lot is known about this outbreak. But we could garner some guesses.
Now, more than ever, is a good time to be extra vigilant around risky foods for Listeria contamination.
Here’s what we know about the new FDA Listeria outbreak with unknown source so far.
The FDA announced they are actively investigating a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak involving 31 associated cases. No deaths have been reported at this phase, but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been any. Listeria often causes serious illnesses and is potentially fatal. This information usually becomes available once the agency has enough information to publish an outbreak investigation report.
So far there has been no product officially identified as the source. However, a traceback investigation has been initiated.
No sampling activity or onsite inspection has been performed. Or at least the agency has not indicated it has taken place.
Without much information, we can still make some good guesses about what the outbreak could involve.
This outbreak investigation involving Listeria from a currently unknown source was given reference number 1281.
If these reference numbers are assigned sequentially, which I suspect they are, some information can be inferred about how long the agency has been looking at these illnesses.
The reference number 1280 was assigned to the active investigation on an E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce that has sickened 88 people. It was published on December 4, 2024.
The reference number 1282 was assigned to the active investigation on a different E. coli outbreak linked to a not yet identified product that has sickened eight people. This outbreak was published on December 11, 2024.
While not exact, it is likely that the FDA has had an eye on this cluster of illnesses since early December.
The USDA regulates beef, poultry, pork, catfish (the FDA handles all other seafood), and eggs. So pretty much any other food is on the table.
This could mean it is produce (think fruits, vegetables, leafy greens), packaged food, nuts, or a host of other items found in your local supermarket.
There is, however, a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Listeria outbreak investigation also posted for December. But that could be a coincidence. While co-investigations do and have happened. This type of outbreak would appear in a different part of the FDA’s website. We are likely looking at something under the FDA umbrella.
Any food can become potentially contaminated with Listeria bacteria, making just about anything a potential food source for Listeria outbreaks.
There are, however, some foods that have come up more than others in historical Listeria outbreaks.
These include:
These foods should be avoided, thoroughly cooked, or consumed with caution.
The last Listeria outbreak this year was announced in late October and was associated with alfalfa sprouts. Before that, the previous Listeria outbreak that was linked to a food product as associated with bagged salad mix. Before that, it was fresh cheeses.
The options are vast and many!
Listeria infections, when limited to intestinal illness can be mild or severe. People with a fairly robust immune system can recover easily on their own without medical care. Certain groups of people, like those who are pregnant and their newborns, older adults above 65 years of age, and those with a weakened immune system are more likely to experience more serious illness. Potentially leading to invasive illness where the bacteria exit the digestive system through breaches in the intestinal wall. From there, they can enter to bloodstream and infect other parts of the body.
The most common symptoms of listeriosis involve intestinal illness. Typically, vomiting and diarrheal symptoms.
These intestinal illness symptoms often begin within 24 hours of consuming contaminated food and generally lasts around 1 to 3 days.
Unless they are in a higher-risk group, most people with listeriosis do not need antibiotic treatment and can simply treat symptoms and hydrate until the illness passes.
Invasive Listeria illness affects pregnant and non-pregnant people differently. These symptoms usually begin about 2 weeks after consuming contaminated food.
Pregnant people generally experience milder flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. The main threat unfortunately, is associated with the pregnancy itself. Listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to still birth, premature delivery, miscarriage, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.
People who are not pregnant often experience more serious symptoms such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Fever and muscle aches are also possible symptoms. This type of illness can be serious and life-threatening. 1 in 20 non-pregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die from their illness.
Most people with invasive listeriosis require medical treatment, and often need hospitalization.
This can create a stressful burden and potentially long-term implications.
If you have been recently diagnosed with listeriosis or symptoms consistent with Listeria infection and you don’t know where you got it, you may be part of this outbreak. Get medical help right away and be sure you are tested for this harmful bacterial infection.
You can also reach out to your local health department. The more information investigators have about what sick people ate in the weeks prior to becoming sick the better grasp they will have on what is causing it.
If you have been seriously impacted by your Listeria illness, you may have a legal case.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has recovered millions of dollars in food contamination and product liability suits to help cover medical expenses, missed work, and other burdens associated with foodborne illness.
Get legal advice today.
Call (833) 330-3663 or submit your information on the online submission form for a free, no obligation consultation to go over the details of your situation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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