Texas Listeria Outbreak Has Killed Two
State and local health officials around San Antonio, Texas, are investigating five illnesses and two deaths from Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogen sometimes found in soft cheeses and deli meats.
The cases have cropped up sporadically since January and they are spread across three counties. This makes it difficult for investigators to trace the food that is causing the illnesses. None of the Texas Listeria outbreak victims know each other, but their illnesses share the same genetic fingerprint..gif)
Roger Sanchez, senior epidemiologist for San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, said the outbreak isn't large but most of the patients have underlying health conditions. They range in age from 66 to 93.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 2,500 become seriously ill each year with listeriosis, and 500 of them die.
Listeria is unlike many other germs because it can grow even in the cold temperature of the refrigerator. The organism is especially harmful to pregnant women, who are 20 times more likely than other healthy adults to get the infection. An infection can cause stillbirth or miscarriage.
If you or someone you love is part of this outbreak, call law firm Pritzker Olsen for a free case consultation at 1-888-377-8900 (Toll Free), or by completing the contact form on the side of this Web page. If we agree to take your case, you will owe us nothing until the case is won.
