Pregnant Women Warned of Listeriosis

By The Herald-Sun, Durham, N.C.

Dec. 19–RALEIGH — Officials with the state Division of Public Health are cautioning pregnant women against the consumption of soft cheeses, hot dogs, deli-style meats and prepared salads in the aftermath of a confirmed listeriosis case in Durham.

Three cases of listeriosis were identified among pregnant women, all Latino, one in Durham, and one each in Moore and Mecklenburg counties. A probable case was identified in a woman of unconfirmed ethnicity in Buncombe County as well.

The Durham and Mecklenburg women suffered miscarriages as a result of the infection. The Moore County woman gave birth early but she and the baby are doing well. The Buncombe County woman lost her baby.

All the cases occurred after Thanksgiving.

Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Listeriosis outbreaks have been associated with consumption of unpasteurized (raw) milk and contaminated soft cheeses, vegetables and ready-to-eat meats. The disease affects primarily pregnant women, newborns and people with weakened immune systems.

Testing conducted at the State Laboratory of Public Health showed that different strains of the bacterium were involved. A single product does not appear to be the source of these cases, prompting public health officials to issue a general Listeria warning.

General recommendations to avoid listeriosis include:

— Avoid unpasteurized — raw — milk, or foods made from unpasteurized milk.

— Thoroughly cook raw food from animal sources.

— Wash raw vegetables before eating.

— Wash hands, knives and cutting board after handling uncooked foods.

— Consume perishable and ready-to-eat foods as soon as possible.

Recommendations for people at high risk, such as pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems, include:

— Do not eat hot dogs, luncheon meats or deli meats, unless they are reheated until steaming hot.

— Avoid getting fluid from hot dog packages on other foods, utensils and food preparation surfaces, and wash hands after handling hot dogs, luncheon meats, and deli meats.

— Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, Brie and Camembert, blue-veined cheeses, or Mexican-style cheeses such as queso blanco, queso fresco, and Panela, unless they have labels that clearly state they are made from pasteurized milk.

— Do not eat refrigerated pâtes or meat spreads. Canned or shelf-stable pâtes and meat spreads may be eaten.

— Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood, unless it is contained in a cooked dish, such as a casserole. Refrigerated smoked seafood, such as salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna or mackerel, is most often labeled as “nova-style,”"lox,”"kippered,”"smoked” or “jerky.” The fish is found in the refrigerator section or sold at deli counters of grocery stores and delicatessens. Canned or shelf-stable smoked seafood may be eaten.

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Herald-Sun, Durham, N.C.

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