At least two people in Illinois have gotten sick from an outbreak of listeria linked to deli foods sold in at least six states.
Nationwide, a total of 16 people have gotten sick, and thirteen have required hospitalization, with one death reported and a pregnant woman suffering a miscarriage after contracting the illness. Listeria is a foodborne contamination that can survive in refrigerated foods, but is killed by heating food to at least 165 degrees.
In the current outbreak, most cases have been linked to meat or cheese from deli counters, but a specific source has not been identified. Health officials advise not eating meat or cheese from a deli counter if you are at high risk for an infection, including older people, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems.
