CDC Listeria: Outbreak Updates

November 21, 2012 (Final Update): Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Imported Marte Brand Frescolina Ricotta Salata

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 14:45:00 EST

A total of 22 persons infected with the outbreak-associated strain of Listeria monocytogenes were reported from 13 states and the District of Columbia.
- 20 ill persons were hospitalized. Four deaths were reported. Public health officials determined that two of these deaths were related to listeriosis. One fetal loss was reported.
Collaborative investigation efforts of local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicated that Frescolina Marte brand ricotta salata cheese imported from Italy and distributed by Forever Cheese, Inc. was the likely source of this outbreak.
- On September 10, 2012, Forever Cheese, Inc. initiated a voluntary recall of this cheese with a single lot number and/or production code.
- On September 13, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration placed the exporter of the recalled cheese, Fattorie Chiarappa S.R.L.of Conversano, Italy, on Import Alert. This means that Fattorie Chiarappa cheese will be denied admission into the United States unless the importer shows that the cheese product is not contaminated with Listeria.
- On September 14, 2012, Forever Cheese, Inc. issued an expanded recall of all lots and production codes of Frescolina Marte brand ricotta salata cheese and issued a market withdrawal of all cheeses they received that were produced by the Italian cheese exporter.
This outbreak appears to be over. Listeria monocytogenes infection (listeriosis) is an important cause of illness in the United States. More information about listeriosis, and steps people can take to reduce their risk of infection, can be found on the CDC Listeria Web Page.

October 26, 2012 (Investigation Update) : Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Imported Marte Brand Frescolina Ricotta Salata

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 11:11:00 EST

As of October 25, 2012, a total of 22 persons infected with the outbreak-associated strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 13 states and the District of Columbia.
- 20 ill persons reported being hospitalized. Four deaths have been reported. Listeriosis contributed to at least 2 of these deaths. One fetal loss has also been reported.
Collaborative investigation efforts of local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that imported ricotta salata cheese is the likely source of this outbreak.
- On September 14, 2012, Forever Cheese, Inc. issued an expanded recall of all lots and production codes of Frescolina Marte brand ricotta salata cheese and issued a market withdrawal of all cheeses they received that were produced by the Italian cheese exporter.
- Frescolina Marte brand ricotta salata cheese may also have been referred to as Ricotta Frescolina Marte Tipo Toscanella or Ricotta Salata Soft (lot number T9425) during distribution.
- Labeling of the recalled ricotta salata cheese after it was cut and repackaged has been inconsistent. Be aware that labels of repackaged cheese may not include the words “Marte” or “Frescolina.”
Consumers who purchased recalled Frescolina Marte brand ricotta salata cheese are advised not to eat it and to discard any remaining cheese.
- This is especially important for pregnant women, persons with weakened immune systems, and older adults.
Cheese retailers should not sell or serve recalled Frescolina Marte brand ricotta salata cheese distributed by Forever Cheese, Inc., regardless of any expiration coding.

October 12, 2012 (Investigation Update) : Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Imported Marte Brand Frescolina Ricotta Salata Cheese

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:23:00 EST

As of October 11, 2012, a total of 20 persons infected with the outbreak-associated strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 12 states and the District of Columbia.
- 19 ill persons reported being hospitalized. Four deaths have been reported. Listeriosis contributed to at least two of these deaths. One fetal loss has also been reported.
Collaborative investigation efforts of local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that imported ricotta salata cheese is the likely source of this outbreak.
- On September 14, 2012, Forever Cheese, Inc. issued an expanded recall of all lots and production codes of Frescolina Marte brand ricotta salata cheese and issued a market withdrawal of all cheeses they received that were produced by the Italian cheese exporter.
- Frescolina Marte brand ricotta salata cheese may also have been referred to as Ricotta Frescolina Marte Tipo Toscanella or Ricotta Salata Soft (lot number T9425) during distribution.
- Labeling of the recalled ricotta salata cheese after it was cut and repackaged has been inconsistent. Be aware that labels of repackaged cheese may not include the words “Marte” or “Frescolina.”
Consumers who purchased recalled Marte brand Frescolina ricotta salata cheese are advised not to eat it and to discard any remaining cheese.
- This is especially important for pregnant women, persons with weakened immune systems, and older adults.
Cheese retailers should not sell or serve recalled Marte brand Frescolina ricotta cheese distributed by Forever Cheese, Inc., regardless of any expiration coding.

September 27, 2012 (Investigation Update) : Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Imported Marte Brand Frescolina Ricotta Salata Cheese

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 17:15:00 EST

As of September 26, 2012, a total of 18 persons infected with the outbreak-associated strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 12 states and the District of Columbia.
- All 18 ill persons were hospitalized. Three deaths have been reported. Listeriosis contributed to at least one of these deaths. One fetal loss has been reported.
Collaborative investigation efforts of local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that imported ricotta salata cheese is the likely source of this outbreak.
- On September 14, 2012, Forever Cheese, Inc. issued an expanded recall of all lots and production codes cheese and issued a market withdrawal of all cheeses they received that were produced by the Italian cheese maker.
- Marte brand Frescolina ricotta salata cheese may also have been referred to as Ricotta Frescolina Marte Tipo Toscanella or Ricotta Salata Soft (lot number T9425) during distribution.
- Labeling of the recalled ricotta salata cheese after it was cut and repackaged may change. Be aware that labels of repackaged cheese may not include the words “Marte” or “Frescolina.”
Consumers who purchased recalled Marte brand Frescolina ricotta salata cheese are advised not to eat it and to discard any remaining cheese
- This is especially important for pregnant women, persons with weakened immune systems, and older adults.

September 21, 2012 (Investigation Update) : Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Imported Marte Brand Frescolina Ricotta Salata Cheese

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:00:00 EST

As of September 20, 2012, a total of 15 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 12 states and the District of Columbia.
- The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: California (1), Colorado (1), District of Columbia (1), Maryland (3), Minnesota (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (1), New York (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), Virginia (1), and Washington (1).
- All 15 ill persons were hospitalized. Three deaths have been reported. Listeriosis contributed to at least one of these deaths.
Collaborative investigation efforts of local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that imported ricotta salata cheese is the likely source of this outbreak.
- On September 10, 2012, Forever Cheese, Inc. voluntarily recalled one lot of Marte brand Frescolina ricotta salata cheese due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
- On September 21, 2012, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an expanded recall of all lots and production codes of Marte brand Frescolina ricotta salata cheese, and all cheese by the Italian cheese maker.
- New information regarding the various names and brand labeling of the implicated Frescolina ricotta salata cheese is available.
- This cheese may also have been referred to as Ricotta Frescolina Marte Tipo Toscanella and/or Ricotta Salata Soft Lot (T9425) as it was being distributed.
Consumers who purchased recalled Marte brand Frescolina ricotta salata cheese are advised not to eat it and to discard any remaining cheese. This is especially important for pregnant women, persons with weakened immune systems, and older adults.
- When in doubt, throw it out.
CDC will update the public on the progress of this investigation as information becomes available.

September 11, 2012 (Initial Announcement) : Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Imported Frescolina Brand Ricotta Salata Cheese

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 21:15:00 EST

As of September 11, 2012, a total of 14 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 11 states and the District of Columbia.
- The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: California (1), Colorado (1), District of Columbia (1), Maryland (3), Minnesota (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (1), New York (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), and Virginia (1).
- All 14 ill persons have been hospitalized. Three deaths have been reported. Listeriosis contributed to at least one of these deaths.
Collaborative investigation efforts of local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate that imported ricotta salata cheese is the likely source of this outbreak.
- On September 10, 2012, Forever Cheese, Inc. voluntarily recalled one lot of Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
- The cheese was sold to distributors for retailers and restaurants in California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington between June 20, 2012 and August 9, 2012.
- Consumers who purchased recalled Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese are advised not to eat it and to discard any remaining cheese. This is especially important for pregnant women, persons with weakened immune systems, and older adults. When in doubt, throw it out.
CDC will update the public on the progress of this investigation as information becomes available.

August 27, 2012 (Final Update Addendum) : Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Whole Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, Colorado

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 17:45:00 EST

This multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections (listeriosis) ended in October, 2011.
After the final update on December 8, a fifth outbreak-associated subtype of Listeria was isolated from a sample of cantaloupe collected during the investigation.
The fifth subtype matches that of Listeria isolated from one patient. This patient's illness had been reported, but had not previously been linked to the outbreak. Therefore, this case has been added to the number of outbreak-associated illnesses. This brings the total number of outbreak-associated illnesses to 147 persons infected with any of the five outbreak-associated subtypes of Listeria. These persons lived in 28 states.
The number of outbreak-associated deaths has increased by three since December 8, 2011. In total, 33 deaths from outbreak-associated cases of listeriosis have been reported to CDC.
Ten other deaths not attributed to listeriosis occurred among persons who had been infected with an outbreak-associated subtype. State and local public health officials reviewed causes of death listed on death certificates to determine whether to attribute these deaths to listeriosis. Deaths included in this review occurred as recently as February 29, 2012.

December 8, 2011: Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Whole Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, Colorado

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:14:00 EST

A total of 146 persons infected with any of the four outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes were reported to CDC from 28 states.
Thirty deaths were reported. In addition, one woman pregnant at the time of illness had a miscarriage.
Available evidence indicates that this outbreak is over. However, Listeria is still an important cause of human illness in the United States. More information about listeriosis and recommendations to reduce the risk of getting listeriosis from food are available at CDC's Listeriosis webpage.

November 2, 2011: Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Whole Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, Colorado

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:51:00 EST

As of 9am EDT on November 1, 2011, a total of 139 persons infected with any of the four outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported to CDC from 28 states. Nevada and Utah have reported their first case each since the last CDC update.
Twenty-nine deaths have been reported. In addition, one woman pregnant at the time of illness had a miscarriage.

October 25, 2011: Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Whole Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, Colorado

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:30:00 EST

As of 9am EDT on October 24, 2011, a total of 133 persons infected with any of the four outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported to CDC from 26 states.
Twenty-eight deaths have been reported. In addition, one woman pregnant at the time of illness had a miscarriage.

October 18, 2011: Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Whole Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, Colorado

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:59:00 EST

As of 9am EDT on October 17, 2011, a total of 123 persons infected with any of the four outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported to CDC from 26 states. Pennsylvania has reported their first case since the last CDC update.
Twenty-five deaths have been reported. In addition, one woman pregnant at the time of illness had a miscarriage.

October 12, 2011: Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Whole Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, Colorado

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:15:00 EST

As of 9am EDT on October 11, 2011, a total of 116 persons infected with any of the four outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported to CDC from 25 states. All illnesses started on or after July 31, 2011.
Twenty-three deaths have been reported: 5 in Colorado, 1 in Indiana, 2 in Kansas, 2 in Louisiana, 1 in Maryland, 1 in Missouri, 1 in Nebraska, 5 in New Mexico, 1 in New York, 1 in Oklahoma, 2 in Texas, and 1 in Wyoming. In addition, one woman pregnant at the time of illness had a miscarriage.

October 7, 2011: Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Whole Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, Colorado

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:15:00 EST

As of 9am EDT on October 6, 2011, a total of 109 persons infected with any of the four outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported to CDC from 23 states. All illnesses started on or after July 31, 2011.
Twenty-one deaths have been reported: 5 in Colorado, 1 in Indiana, 2 in Kansas, 1 in Maryland, 1 in Missouri, 1 in Nebraska, 5 in New Mexico, 1 in New York, 1 in Oklahoma, 2 in Texas, and 1 in Wyoming. In addition, one woman pregnant at the time of illness had a miscarriage.

October 4, 2011: Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Whole Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, Colorado

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:51:00 EST

As of 11am EDT on October 3, 2011, a total of 100 persons infected with any of the four outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported to CDC from 20 states. All illnesses started on or after July 31, 2011. The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1) California (1), Colorado (30), Idaho (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (2), Kansas (7), Maryland (1), Missouri (3), Montana (1), Nebraska (6), New Mexico (13), North Dakota (1), Oklahoma (11), Texas (14), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (2).
Eighteen deaths have been reported: 5 in Colorado, 2 in Kansas, 1 in Maryland, 1 in Missouri, 1 in Nebraska, 5 in New Mexico, 1 in Oklahoma, and 2 in Texas.

September 30, 2011: Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Whole Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, Colorado

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:13:00 EST

As of 11am EDT on September 29, 2011, a total of 84 persons infected with any of the four outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported to CDC from 19 states. All illnesses started on or after July 31, 2011. The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1) California (1), Colorado (17), Illinois (1), Indiana (2), Kansas (5), Maryland (1), Missouri (3), Montana (1), Nebraska (6), New Mexico (13), North Dakota (1), Oklahoma (11), Texas (14), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (2).
Fifteen deaths have been reported: 3 in Colorado, 1 in Kansas, 1 in Maryland, 1 in Missouri, 1 in Nebraska, 5 in New Mexico, 1 in Oklahoma, and 2 in Texas.

September 27, 2011: Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Whole Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, Colorado

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:54:00 EST

# As of 11am EDT on September 26, 2011, a total of 72 persons infected with the four outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported to CDC from 18 states. All illnesses started on or after July 31, 2011. The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: California (1), Colorado (15), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (2), Kansas (5), Maryland (1), Missouri (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (6), New Mexico (10), North Dakota (1), Oklahoma (8), Texas (14), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (1).
Thirteen deaths have been reported: 2 in Colorado, 1 in Kansas, 1 in Maryland, 1 in Missouri, 1 in Nebraska, 4 in New Mexico, 1 in Oklahoma, and 2 in Texas.

September 21, 2011: Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Whole Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms, Colorado

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:52:00 EST

# As of 5pm EDT on September 20, 2011, a total of 55 persons infected with the 4 outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 14 states. All illnesses started on or after August 4, 2011. The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: California (1), Colorado (14), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Maryland (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (4), New Mexico (10), Oklahoma (8), Texas (9), Virginia (1), West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (1).
Collaborative investigations by local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicate the source of the outbreak is whole cantaloupe grown at Jensen Farms’ production fields in Granada, Colorado.

September 19, 2011: Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Rocky Ford Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:48:00 EST

A total of 35 persons infected with the outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 10 states. All illnesses started on or after August 4, 2011. The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: California (1), Colorado (12), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (4), New Mexico (5), Oklahoma (6), Texas (3), and West Virginia (1).
Collaborative investigative efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies have linked this outbreak to eating whole cantaloupe from Jensen Farms, of Granada, Colorado.

September 14, 2011: Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Rocky Ford Cantaloupes from Jensen Farms

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:08:00 EST

A total of 22 persons infected with the outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 7 states. The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: Colorado (12), Indiana (1), Nebraska (1), New Mexico (4), Oklahoma (1), Texas (2), and West Virginia (1). Two deaths have been reported, one in Colorado and one in New Mexico.
Collaborative investigative efforts of state, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies have linked this outbreak to eating whole cantaloupe from Jensen Farms, of Granada, Colorado.

September 13, 2011: Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Rocky Ford Cantaloupes

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 21:19:00 EST

A total of 16 persons infected with the outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 5 states. All illnesses started on or after August 15, 2011. The number of infected persons identified in each state is as follows: Colorado (11), Indiana (1), Nebraska (1), Oklahoma (1), and Texas (2).
Epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory investigations have linked this outbreak to eating cantaloupes marketed as coming from the Rocky Ford region of Colorado.
CDC recommends that persons at high risk for listeriosis, including older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women, do not eat cantaloupes marketed as coming from the Rocky Ford region of Colorado.

September 12, 2011: Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Rocky Ford Cantaloupes

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in several states, including Colorado, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of listeriosis. Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.