A listeria outbreak linked to sliced deli meats has killed two people and sickened more than two dozen others.
On Friday, the CDC reported that 28 people in 12 states have been sickened by the bacteria Listeria, which has been linked to processed meats. Two people have died.
The health department is warning people not to eat meat purchased from delis unless it has been heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature high enough to kill the bacteria.
Keeping meat cold does not eliminate listeria.
CDC researchers are still gathering information about the outbreak to determine the exact sources of the listeria.
More than two dozen people in 12 states have been sickened by the bacteria listeria, which has been linked to sliced deli meats
According to the CDC, many people are eating meat they cut up themselves at delis during this outbreak.
For vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, or pregnant women, the CDC advises taking extra precautions and avoiding processed meats unless they have been properly reheated.
These people must also clean all surfaces and containers that have come into contact with sliced meats.
The CDC did not disclose where the outbreak occurred, which specific products were affected, or how many people were hospitalized.
The announcement comes a day after it was reported that two people in Canada have died and 10 people have been sickened by listeria in almond milk and other dairy-free alternatives.
Nine of these people were hospitalized, with most of the cases occurring in Ontario.
They had either consumed Silk brand oat, almond, cashew or coconut milk alternatives
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause listeriosis, a bacterial infection that can lead to serious illness and death.
Warning signs of listeria infection include nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and constipation. These symptoms typically develop within a few hours to three days after eating contaminated food.
According to the FDA, more than 90 percent of patients are hospitalized.
In severe cases, the bacteria can spread to the nervous system and cause meningitis (inflammation of the fluid surrounding the brain) and sepsis.
Both can be fatal.
People with weakened immune systems and those over 60 are at particularly high risk of the infection, officials say.
Pregnant women are also at greater risk of miscarriage if they become infected with listeria, because the bacteria can spread to the fetus.
It is estimated that in the US, about 1,600 people are infected with listeria each year, and about 260 people die from it.
