Photo by Bozhin Karaivanov on Unsplash
There is an outbreak of Listeria in Hawaii. Two people have fallen sick. One person has died.
Officials say that while they initially thought it was linked to the multi-state prepared pasta meal outbreak, that has sickened 27 people so far, hospitalized 25, and resulted in six deaths.
Unfortunately, it seems things are more complicated than that.
Here’s what we know about this outbreak of Listeria in Hawaii so far!
This situation started when two people became sick with Listeria in Hawaii. According to Hawaii’s Department of Health Disease Investigation Branch, these people were infected with the same strain of Listeria monocytogenes. The same strain found in outbreak patients related to now recalled prepared pasta meals.
A genetic match that links these sick patients with other sick patients along with contaminated products.
There is just one problem.
Neither person had consumed the recalled pasta products linked to that outbreak.
Two products included in the Listeria outbreak recall were sold in Hawaii. Scott & Jon’s shrimp scampi with linguini bowls supplied by Nate’s Fine Foods was sold at Hawaii Safeways. As was the Basil Pesto Bowtie Pasta Salad.
According to a source, there was no Hawaii Department of Health alert for the basil pesto pasta product. However, Safeway stores removed and destroyed the product and neither patient consumed that product.
Other recalled products were not sold in Hawaii.
What does this mean?
A genetic match to the outbreak strain is proof that there is some type of common food or ingredient consumed by those sick in Hawaii and other outbreak patients.
However, without a link to the known products that have been recalled, it means one thing. There are other products out there that are contaminated with this strain of Listeria. Other people may be exposed until the products are identified and recalled.
We could continue to see more deaths. More tragic pregnancy loss. More hospitalization.
Are more Nate’s Fine Foods products impacted? Does the problem expand beyond that company’s prepared pasta products?
One or more of those options seems likely.
As of right now, Hawaii Department of Health says that it is not known what product caused the Listeria infection in either case.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with state health departments, continue to investigate this outbreak to look for other links. Patient food surveys are being reevaluated to determine if additional products may be contaminated with Listeria.
Listeria monocytogenes is the bacteria responsible for listeriosis. A deadly infection often associated with contaminated food.
How deadly?
The CDC estimates that around 1,600 people become sick with listeriosis each year. About 260 of those die from the illness. Many are hospitalized. Those who are pregnant are at risk to complications and loss of pregnancy.
While anyone can become infected with Listeria, in many cases normally healthy people do not become seriously ill. Some people, on the other hand, are at higher risk of becoming sick if exposed or experiencing more severe illness if infected. The CDC considers these people “high risk.”
High-risk groups include:
Listeria bacteria cause a complicated range of symptoms. These symptoms, like most bacterial infections, can cause either mild or severe illnesses.
What truly complicates the situation is that despite initial intestinal illness affecting most people in the same way, this bacteria impacts those who are pregnant differently than those who are not for invasive illness.
Listeria infections generally begin with intestinal illness. This type of infection takes place when the germ is consumed and affects the digestive system.
Initial onset generally includes common intestinal symptoms. Vomiting and diarrhea often begins within 24 hours of consuming something contaminated with Listeria bacteria. These symptoms are often resolved within three days.
Most people with intestinal Listeria illness do not require medical intervention or antibiotic treatment. Plenty of rest, fluids, and treating the symptoms is your best bet.
Intestinal Listeria illness can evolve to a more invasive illness.
When Listeria bacteria leave the digestive system and enter other parts of the body, things become more complicated. This germ causes serious, life-threatening illness in most people at this point. However, those who are pregnant generally experience more mild symptoms. However, they are at serious risk of complications in their pregnancy.
Invasive Listeria illness symptoms usually begin about two weeks after initial exposure.
While personal symptoms of invasive listeriosis are milder in pregnant people, the impact on the pregnancy poses potentially serious consequences. Someone who is pregnant and experiencing invasive listeriosis may have fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, listeriosis during pregnancy can lead to still birth, premature delivery, miscarriage, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.
Those who are not pregnant have a higher risk of serious illness or death. Invasive listeriosis in non-pregnant people often includes headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Some may also experience fever and/or muscle aches. This infection can be serious or even life-threatening. 1 in 20 nonpregnant people with invasive listeriosis will die from their illness. Most people with invasive listeriosis require medical treatment and often need hospitalization.
If you have become sick after eating recalled products or products with different lots of the same brands that were recalled, or have become sick with Listeria recently, there are a few things that you can do to help your situation.
Medical bills, lost work, and other burdens associated with foodborne illness like Listeria in pasta adds up. Who is responsible for those bills? What can you do? What are your rights?
All of these questions can be answered by an experienced Listeria Lawyer. Reach out to a Listeria Lawyer for advice as soon as possible.
If you have fallen sick with Listeria, you may be part of this outbreak and able to file a legal claim.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has helped many families with cases just like yours help hold accountable those responsible for foodborne illness. When a company becomes negligent, people become sick.
Call (833) 330-3663 or submit your information on the online submission form for a free consultation to go over the details of your situation.
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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