What is listeria? Everything you need to know about the bacteria that can make you sick | CNN

Listeriosis outbreak in Hispanic preferred cheeses 1:07

(CNN) -

Listeria is back in the news as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned people not to eat certain types of cheeses to They could be linked to the outbreak of listeriosis, the disease caused by the listeria bacteria.

LOOK: The CDC warns people not to eat cheese and cottage cheese due to possible listeria contamination

Listeria is a potentially lethal bacteria and its scientific name is

 Listeria monocytogenes.

"Listeria is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the frail or elderly, and others with weakened immune systems," said the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). , for its acronym in English) in a statement.

“Healthy individuals can suffer from short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

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Here's what you need to know about the bacteria and what happens if you get it:

What is listeria?

Listeria monocytogenes

is a bacterium that is resistant to extreme heat and cold.

This bacteria is pathogenic, which means that it is infectious to humans, causing the disease of listeriosis.

Where does listeria come from?

Listeria is found in the soil, water, and intestines of some animals.

But most animals with it show no symptoms, so the bacteria can be transferred to raw foods like unpasteurized dairy products, raw vegetables, and raw meats.

But unlike other types of bacteria, listeria can still grow in the low temperatures of a refrigerator.

And when listeria enters a factory environment, it can live for several years, says the US Food and Drug Administration, FDA, for its acronym in English.

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Studies suggest that up to 10% of humans can be carriers.

Who is most at risk?

Listeriosis mainly affects the elderly, pregnant women, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems.

In the United States, approximately 1,600 people become seriously ill each year.

And about 16% of those illnesses result in death.

Cervical infections caused by listeriosis in pregnant women can cause miscarriage during the second or third trimester or stillbirth.

What are the symptoms of listeriosis?

The first symptoms of listeriosis are similar to those of the flu with nausea, muscle aches and a high fever.

Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, may also appear.

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But the time between infection and the onset of symptoms is unknown.

How can you protect yourself?

Recommendations for keeping food safe from listeria are similar to those used to protect against other foodborne illnesses.

Remember to cook meat at temperatures recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and wash all raw vegetables and fruits.

Keep your refrigerator below 4.4 degrees Celsius and eat the leftovers within three to four days, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How common is listeria infection?

About 800 cases of listeria infection are diagnosed each year in the United States, along with three to four outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with listeria.

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In 1998 there was an outbreak of listeria caused by contaminated hot dogs and cold cuts, which caused the death of 21 people.

Between 1998 and June 2009, the CDC's Online Database of Foodborne Outbreaks reported 48 deaths from listeria-caused illnesses.

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