CHICAGO (NewsNation Now) — A multi-state outbreak of listeria infections is being linked to deli meat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC said 10 people, between the ages of 40 and 80, were infected with a strain of listeria in Florida, Massachusetts and New York. All 10 were hospitalized, and one person died in Florida.
In interviews with nine of the 10 infected, all reported eating Italian-style meats, such as salami, mortadella and prosciutto, prior to getting sick, the CDC announced last Friday.
The health agency hasn’t identified a specific type or supplier yet. Those infected reported buying prepackaged deli meats at various locations.
The CDC recommends cooking deli meats before ingesting, and to throw away any opened packages of deli meat after 5 days storing in the refrigerator.
Listeria more commonly affects people with compromised immune systems, older people and also those who are pregnant, NewsNation affiliate WJW reported.
Symptoms of listeriosis typically show up between 1 and 4 weeks after eating food contaminated with listeria bacteria, according to the CDC. People can experience headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions as well as fever and muscle aches.
Pregnant women with listeriosis typically experience only fever and other flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and muscle aches, the CDC said. The agency warns that infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature deliver or potentially life-threatening infections in newborns.
NewsNation affiliate WJW contributed to this report.