US Listeria Outbreak Results in 12 Fatalities

Synopsis

A serious Listeria outbreak in the US has led to at least 12 deaths, with 38 cases reported in 21 states. Many affected were in long-term care facilities. The CDC has issued a recall for specific frozen shakes linked to the outbreak and urged public caution.

Key Takeaways

At least 12 deaths due to Listeria in the US.
38 people infected across 21 states.
Many cases are linked to long-term care facilities.
Recall issued for Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial shakes.
Listeria poses risks to vulnerable populations.

Los Angeles, Feb 25 (NationPress) A minimum of twelve fatalities have been confirmed in the United States due to a widespread outbreak of Listeria infections associated with supplemental shakes, as reported by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In total, 38 individuals across 21 states have been diagnosed, with 37 requiring hospitalization. The CDC noted that many affected by this outbreak resided in long-term care facilities or were hospitalized prior to their illness.

According to the CDC, the cases trace back to 2018, with over half of the cases emerging in either 2024 or 2025. Listeria outbreaks often persist for several years due to the germ’s resilience, allowing it to survive on surfaces for extended periods.

The CDC has investigated this particular strain of the virus multiple times but lacked sufficient data to pinpoint a food source, aside from items served in long-term care settings. This year, environmental testing and whole genome sequencing were pivotal in resolving the outbreak, the CDC stated.

A recall has been issued for all Lions ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial frozen supplemental shakes that are still within their shelf life. These shakes, sold exclusively to institutional settings like long-term care facilities, are now under scrutiny.

The CDC has urged the public to refrain from consuming any recalled products and to thoroughly clean refrigerators, containers, and surfaces that may have been in contact with the affected items, according to the Xinhua news agency.

Listeria can persist in refrigerated conditions and may easily contaminate other foods and surfaces. It poses significant risks to pregnant women, individuals aged 65 and older, and those with compromised immune systems, as highlighted by the CDC.

Listeriosis can manifest in various symptoms, differing in severity and type. There are two primary forms of the illness: the less serious, non-invasive gastrointestinal listeriosis, and the more critical invasive listeriosis, which occurs when the Listeria bacterium spreads beyond the intestines.