CDC Warns Pregnant Women to Avoid Deli Meat After Two Deaths

There are plenty of foods to indulge in while pregnant, but there’s also a short list of foods to avoid. From raw fish to cookie dough, these food items are prone to harbor some potentially nasty bacteria that could be harmful to you and baby. One such off-limits item? Deli meat.

Products from the deli counter have long since been on the list of foods to avoid while pregnant due to the potential presence of the bacteria listeria. Although the bacteria is easily killed when reheated to 165 degrees, a recent outbreak has spurned the CDC to issue a warning, reminding pregnant women, the elderly and immune-compromised to avoid meats sliced at delis out of caution.

What caused the outbreak?

The outbreak has spread through 12 states now, sending 28 people to the hospital. Two deaths have been reported, one in Illinois and one in New Jersey. Officials believe the actual count of those sickened is likely much higher than 28, as some symptoms can resolve without hospital treatment and it takes 3-4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of the outbreak.

The CDC is not currently able to pinpoint the outbreak to a particular product but has linked the cases to sliced meats from deli counters across the country. Of the 18 people able to be interviewed, 16 reported eating meats sliced at a deli, most commonly deli-sliced turkey, liverwurst and ham.

Why should pregnant women be concerned?

Pregnant people are 10 times more likely to contract severe illness from listeria (known as listeriosis) than non-pregnant people due to their weakened immune systems.

According to the CDC, once contracted, symptoms from listeriosis usually start within two weeks. Pregnant people typically experience only fever, fatigue and muscle aches. However, in severe cases, Listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth and can cause serious illness or death in newborns.

How do I protect myself?

The easiest way to protect yourself from listeriosis is to avoid deli meat and any items from the deli counter. If you insist on getting something from the deli counter, the CDC recommends that you reheat the item to at least 165 degrees or until steaming hot to kill off the bacteria.

If you want to learn more about the outbreak and see if your state has been affected, visit CDC.gov.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.