Food Poisoning
APf 18.12.98 08:58
Copyright 1998 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
The information contained in this news report may not be
published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior
written authority of the Associated Press.
By LAURAN NEERGAARD
AP Medical Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Health officials suspect tainted cold cuts and
hot dogs are responsible for an outbreak of food poisoning that
has sickened more than 35 people in nine states, killing four.
The outbreak was caused by listeria, a bacterium that healthy
people usually fight off with no more than flu-like symptoms. But
it sometimes can kill, causing meningitis or blood infection.
Most at risk are pregnant women, because listeria can cause
miscarriage or stillbirth, and the elderly and people with weak
immune systems.
Government officials would not discuss which brands may have
caused the outbreak, saying the investigation was continuing.
But the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said
people at greatest risk from listeria should take precautions.
"If they want to reduce their risk, they should avoid those
foods or thoroughly reheat their cold cuts before eating
them," CDC spokesman Tom Skinner said.
Bil Mar Foods in Zeeland, Mich., a division of Sara Lee, is
cooperating with government investigators, said Sara Lee
spokesman Jeffrey Smith.
"At this time, we don't have sufficient information" to
know if any of a number of brands of meat products packaged there
are the problem, Smith said. "The safety of our consumers is
of the utmost importance to us and ... as more information
becomes available, we'll provide it."
Genetic fingerprinting of the bacterium helped health officials
link the cases, and they suspect hot dogs and cold cuts because
those are foods the patients have in common.
The CDC expects laboratory test results from actual products
within two days, Skinner said. Agriculture officials then would
determine if any recalls are required.
Skinner said that while the last known patient became ill in late
November, "if there still is contaminated product out there,
we might see more cases."
Cases are under investigation in Ohio, New York, Tennessee,
Massachusetts, Michigan, West Virginia, Connecticut, Oregon and
Vermont.