hello I'm Dr Ronda Johnson it's Sunday August 18th 2024 today I'm talking about that leria Deli me multi-state outbreak while the CDC website keeps updating and the last update was August 8th their previous update was July 31st and folks since July 31st there have been nine new cases and sadly one person from Virginia died now there have been 43 confirmed cases all 43 folks have been hospitalized the cases occurred in New York Massachusetts Pennsylvania New Jersey Maryland Virginia North Carolina Missouri Illinois Indiana Wisconsin and Minnesota but the CDC says the true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illness this is because some people recover without medical care some folks are not tested for leria in addition it takes 3 to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak so the CDC advises people not to eat this recall deli meat products the CDC also advises on their website that people who are pregnant and age 65 and older or who have a weakened immune system to avoid eating deli meats or to heat them hot before they consume them now the Bor head company recalled 7 million plus pounds of ready to eat meat and poultry because leria was found in some of their food made from May 10th to July 29th 2024 so I'll include the link to their website but here are the key points to remember that leria are bacteria that can contaminate many foods not just deli meats the disease is called listeriosis and it can cause fever muscle aches headache stiff neck confusion loss of balance and seizures they can be preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms now people at highest risk are pregnant people newborns adults 65 or older people with weakened immune systems now the syia can be treated with antibiotics so please talk to your doctor if if you think that you have been infected with recalled deli meats also if you think you may have purchased these products please clean and disinfect your refrigerator I did that myself so that's my message I'll be sure to include an update this outbreak doesn't seem to be over yet folks so take care uh decide if you're in a high-risk group if you should even eat deli meats and certainly if you eat them heat them up high take care be well by