Since May 2000, 29 illnesses caused by a strain of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) have been identified in 10 states: New York (15 cases); Georgia (three); Connecticut, Ohio, and Michigan (two each); and California, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin (one each). Dates of LM isolation ranged from May 17 through November 26 with 26 (90%) infections occurring since July 15. When subtyped, the LM isolates from these cases were indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PulseNet pattern numbers GX6A16.0014 by Asc1 and GX6A12.0017 by Apa1) and ribotyping (DUP-1053). This report summarizes the investigation, which linked these cases of listeriosis to eating deli turkey meat.
Eight perinatal and 21 nonperinatal cases were reported. Among the 21 nonperinatal case-patients, the median age was 65 years (range: 29–92 years); 13 (62%) were female. The 29 cases have been associated with four deaths and three miscarriages/stillbirths.Continue Reading Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis — United States, 2000

Epidemiologic Notes and Reports Update
Listeriosis and Pasteurized Milk
Listeria monocytogenes can be cultured from approximately 5% of raw (unpasteurized) milk samples, and case reports have shown that disease in humans can be caused by consumption of unpasteurized contaminated milk (1-4). Other reports suggesting that L. monocytogenes is relatively resistant to heat have raised concern about the effectiveness of pasteurization for eliminating this organism from milk (1,5). In an outbreak of listeriosis that occurred in Massachusetts in 1983, pasteurized whole or 2% milk was implicated as the source of infection (6). An inspection of the milk-producing plant detected no apparent breach in the pasteurization process, thereby prompting further interest in the effectiveness of pasteurization. Since then, several studies have shown that L. monocytogenes is inactivated by standard pasteurization practices (4,7-10). This report summarizes information regarding the effectiveness of pasteurization in eliminating L. monocytogenes from milk.
Current state and local regulations throughout the United States specify time and temperature conditions for pasteurization. These regulations call for milk to be heated to at least 71.7 C for 15 seconds (i.e., high-temperature short-time (HTST) process) or to 62.8 C for 30 minutes (11). In one study using milk artificially inoculated with L. monocytogenes, investigators found that 0.9 seconds at 71.7 C is needed for each one log10 reduction in the number of L. monocytogenes organisms (7). Other studies of artificially inoculated milk have concluded that at the same temperature, a period of 2.75 to 3.1 seconds is needed for each log10 reduction (4). Since the concentration of L. monocytogenes likely to be present in contaminated raw milk is estimated to be approximately 10 organisms per mL, these data suggest that there is a substantial margin of safety in the HTST pasteurization process (4). Another study found that at 62 C, each log10 reduction in the number of surviving L. monocytogenes organisms could be achieved in 6 to 20 seconds, well within the 30 minutes required for pasteurization at this temperature (8). Other investigators also have concluded that L. monocytogenes will not survive the normal milk pasteurization process (9) and have questioned previously reported methods that suggested L. monocytogenes could survive pasteurization (8,9).Continue Reading Listeriosis and Pasteurized Milk

When you’re expecting, it’s natural to be concerned about your health and that of your unborn baby. Maintaining a healthful diet, drinking plenty of liquids, and taking prenatal vitamins are all important for the health of the expectant mother and her baby. Food safety is also very important. This information will help you make safe decisions when selecting and preparing food for yourself and/or your family.
Sometimes, what we eat can make us sick. Food contaminated by harmful bacteria can cause serious illness. One type of bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes ( pronounced lis-TIR-ee-ya mon-o-si-TAH-gin-eez) , can cause an illness called listeriosis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) estimates that 2,500 people become seriously ill with listeriosis each year in the United States. Of these, one in five die from the disease. Listeriosis can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn babies. Foodborne illness caused by Listeria in pregnant women can result in premature delivery, miscarriage, fetal death, and severe illness or death of a newborn from the infection.
What is Listeria?
Listeria is a type of bacteria found everywhere in soil and ground water and on plants. Animals and people can carry Listeria in their bodies without becoming sick. Despite being so widespread, most infections in humans result from eating contaminated foods.Continue Reading Listeriosis and Pregnancy: What is Your Risk?