A deadly flash Listeria linked to cheese has infected people in several states and killed at least one.
Federal health officials on Monday provided the latest information about the epidemic. So far, nine cases have been identified in three states, as well as one death, dating back to 2023. The outbreak was linked to some soft cheese products made by Clover Hill Dairy, which has now issued a recall.
“The actual number of people sickened in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not be limited to states with known disease,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in an updated statement.
Killer cheese
Almost all flashes Listeria in humans, including this one, are caused by bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. Although Listeria cases are relatively rare, it can be a source of serious illness. It is the fourth leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the US, accounting for an estimated 172 deaths each year.
Listeria symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea. People with severe disease also tend to experience headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. As is often the case with foodborne illnesses, people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, newborns and pregnant women are more prone to developing serious infections.
CDC and Food and Drug Administration officials first reported the outbreak last week. But the timeline of cases linked to the same outbreak strain stretches back to March 2023, with the most recent case reported in mid-May. As a result, at least eight people were hospitalized, one person — a resident of the state of Maryland — died.
It can take about two weeks for someone to become ill after exposure, and up to four weeks for a case to be identified as part of the same outbreak, so the number could still be rising. In general, foodborne outbreaks are also often much larger than reported because many sick people do not seek medical attention.
What to do
Officials have linked the cases to cheese made by Clover Hill Dairy, specifically products made from requesson, a soft cheese similar to ricotta. This includes products labeled as Clover Hill as well as repackaged products sold in local retail stores.
On June 5, Nelson & Isa Lacteos, LLC released a withdraw of Requeson cheese products, originally sourced from Clover Hill, which were sold in New York retail stores from May 15-28.
On Monday, Clover Hill released a withdraw of all its requesson/soft ricotta products. The company noted that it recently distributed these products in the following states: North Carolina, New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington, DC.
Public health officials are advising people not to eat the recalled cheese and to return it to where they bought it or throw it away. People at higher risk of severe Listeria they also recommend avoiding any queso fresco type cheeses for now.
