The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued fresh guidelines for people aged over 50 to reheat the meat before consuming to avoid listeria infection. Listeriosis or Listeria infection is caused by a bacterium known as Listeria monocytogenes.
The CDC has recommended people over 50s, especially in the age group of 65, to reheat all the leftover meats or other meats such as hot dogs, cold cuts and deli meat to 165 degrees (Fahrenheit) or steaming hot before eating. As the spring is approaching an increase in social gatherings and meat consumption is expected. Hence, CDC has stepped up to issue guidelines.
The main problem with Listeria is that it tries to survive in cold temperatures and can cause serious illness when ingested, hence the food has to be adequately cooked. Also, CDC has recommended discarding sliced meat after storing for 5 days. The threat of Listeriosis in USA is not new, according to CDC, but the main concern is that people are not giving it enough attention.
Listeria Infection
Listeriosis is not very common and is more likely to affect little infants, pregnant women and elderly people. The symptoms for this disease can persist for 7 to 10 days and includes fever, muscle aches and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are less prominent though. Sometimes if the bacterium reaches the nervous system then it can cause meningitis. This would require immediate medical attention and hospitalisation. If pregnant women get infected then they would experience symptoms similar to flu. Sometimes it can lead to premature delivery or even death of the baby.
In India, Listeria has been isolated from meat samples and dry fish. Also a study carried out by the University of Florida, listed cold cuts and Listeriosis as the third worst combination of food with pathogen. Another report stated that about 1,600 people contract this disease and nearly 260 people die every year.
