A deadly outbreak of Listeria tied to cheese has infected people in several states and killed at least one. On Monday, federal health officials provided the latest update on the outbreak. So far, nine cases in three states, along with one death, have been identified, dating back to 2023. The outbreak has been traced to certain soft cheese products produced by Clover Hill Dairy, which has now issued a recall. “The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and this outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated in its update. Killer cheese Nearly all outbreaks of Listeria in humans, including this one, are caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Though Listeria cases are relatively rare, it can be a source of serious illness. It’s the fourth leading cause of death from foodborne disease in the U.S., with about 172 deaths estimated annually.
Listeria symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea. People with severe illness also tend to experience headaches, stiff necks, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. As is often true with foodborne illnesses, people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, newborns, and pregnant women are more likely to develop serious infections.
