Great, now we have to stop eating deli because of a...

• A Listeria outbreak has been linked to Italian deli meats sold on the east coast of the United States, according to the CDC.
• The meat that made people sick has been confirmed in Florida, Massachusetts, and New York.
• So far, 10 people have had to be hospitalized and one death has occurred.

An outbreak of Listeria in several states has been traced back to delicatessen and, unfortunately, the disease has already claimed at least one life. The CDC released a bulletin showing that in Florida, Massachusetts and New York a total of 10 hospitalized cases of Listeria infection were linked to Italian-style meat.

So far, all 10 people hospitalized for the disease have been in Florida, although the meat apparently made people sick in the other states to a lesser extent. The CDC is still working on figuring out the common thread running through the delicacies sold in the various states in hopes of narrowing them down to a single supplier.

Here are the most updated details about the CDC:

• 10 people infected with the Listeria outbreak strain have been reported from Florida, Massachusetts and New York. All 10 sick were hospitalized. One death was reported from Florida.
• Epidemiological evidence shows that deli is a likely source for this outbreak.
  • In interviews with 9 patients, all stated that they had eaten Italian-style meat such as salami, mortadella and ham. They reported buying prepackaged deli meat and meat that was cut at deli counters at various locations.
• A specific type of deli meat and a common supplier have not yet been identified.

Not knowing exactly where the Listeria contamination came from can be worrying. The CDC and FDA can work with a company on a recall to prevent their products from causing further damage. However, they cannot do this until they identify the source, and this has not yet been done.

If you have Listeria infection, it is known as listeriosis and is considered to be quite serious. In some people it can go away relatively quickly, but in more serious cases, such as the elderly or people with weakened immune systems, blood infections and even brain swelling can occur. It’s not easy to take, and while this outbreak seems relatively small at the moment, there is still cause for vigilance.

Currently, the CDC is recommending a few additional steps to reduce the chances of getting sick while handling seemingly safe meat. It is recommended that you wash your hands after handling sausage products and clean any surfaces that may have come into contact with the meat. Before eating, make sure the meat is heated to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that all harmful organisms are killed.