Press Releases
02/13/2021
DPH Issues Public Health Alert on Hispanic-style Fresh and Soft Cheeses
FDA warns of multi-state outbreak of foodborne illness
HARTFORD, CT, February
13, 2021--The Connecticut Department of Public Health is urging the public to
be aware of potential health risks associated with ‘Hispanic-style fresh and
soft cheeses,’ after receiving an alert
from the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration.
DPH officials said the FDA, along with the Centers for Disease
Control & Prevention and state and local partners, is investigating a
multi-state outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections
potentially linked to Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses.
“We are informing
local health departments of this federal investigation and urging Connecticut residents,
restaurants and food retailers to be aware of the potential risks,” said DPH
Acting Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford after receiving the federal alert.
According to the FDA’s
information, available here, one Connecticut resident has so far been identified as becoming ill
and hospitalized potentially related to the suspected outbreak.
“FDA has initiated an investigation and is
collecting information to try to determine the source of the outbreak,” the FDA notice said. “Although the investigation is
ongoing, CDC’s analysis of epidemiologic information indicates that
Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses are the leading hypotheses for the cause
of the illnesses. No specific type or brand of cheese has been confirmed
as the source of illness. CDC reported that seven people infected with
the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been
reported in Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and Virginia. Six of the
seven ill people are Hispanic. Of the four people interviewed, three
reported eating at least one type of Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses, and
all three reported eating queso fresco.”
FDA is in the
beginning stages of this investigation, and there may be additional products
impacted by this outbreak. As this outbreak investigation continues, the
FDA will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.
FDA
Recommendations:
If you are at higher
risk for severe Listeria illness (if you are pregnant, aged 65
or older, or have a weakened immune system due to certain medical conditions or
treatments) do not eat any Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses (like queso
fresco, queso blanco, and queso panela), until we identify a specific type or
brand that is making people sick.
Call your healthcare
provider right away if you have these symptoms after eating Hispanic-style
fresh and soft cheeses:
- Pregnant people typically experience only fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
- People who are not pregnant may
experience headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and
convulsions, in addition to fever and muscle aches.
Generally, make sure
the Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses (like queso fresco) you eat have
labels that state, “Made with pasteurized milk.”
Be aware that
Hispanic-style soft cheeses made from pasteurized milk have caused Listeria outbreaks.
Although pasteurization of milk kills Listeria, products made
from pasteurized milk can still become contaminated if they are produced in
facilities with unsanitary conditions.
Restaurants and
retailers that serve or sell Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheeses should
follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning
advice.
Please visit the FDA
website here or at www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/outbreak-investigation-listeria-monocytogenes-hispanic-style-fresh-and-soft-cheeses-february-2021
for case counts and
additional information.