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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified specific brands of cheese products that led to an outbreak of Listeria on the East Coast.
Earlier this month, the CDC issued a public alert following several illnesses reported in consumers who ate certain varieties of cream and soft cheese.
“Don’t eat Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses (like queso fresco, queso blanco, and queso panela), until we have identified a specific type or brand that is making people sick,” the CDC’s initial alert said.
This week, the CDC identified specific brands: El Abuelito, Rio Grande and Rio Lindo.
According to the CDC, all queso fresco products sold under these names should be considered suspicious and could potentially be contaminated with Listeria.
On Friday January 19, El Abuelito Cheese Inc. recalled all queso fresco products made in the same establishment with expiration dates until Sunday March 28.
“Other El Abuelito brand cheeses made or handled at the same facility as queso fresco have yet to be recalled, but the CDC is concerned it could be contaminated and make people sick,” officials said. “Investigators are working to identify all cheese products manufactured or handled in this facility that may be contaminated.”
As of Thursday, February 25, 10 illnesses have been reported, including nine hospitalizations due to the epidemic. Of these 10 diseases, four were reported in New York City, one in Connecticut, and others in Virginia and Maryland.
Officials noted that Connecticut officials found the epidemic strain of Listeria in samples of El Abuelito brand queso fresco cheese collected from a store where a sick person purchased El Abuelito brand cheeses.
According to the Food Safety and Inspection Service, eating food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that mainly affects the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, pregnant women. and their newborns.
Less frequently, others outside of these risk groups are affected.
“Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle pain, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms.
“An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, infection can lead to miscarriages, stillbirths, premature labor, or a life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. “
Listeria affects about 1,600 Americans each year, killing about 260 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Most people only suffer from fever, stomach ache, nausea, diarrhea, and headache.
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