The CDC just announced an ongoing outbreak linked to hard boiled eggs produced at a plant in Gainesville.
As of today, according to Food Safety News, seven people in five states have been confirmed infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes, according to the CDC. One of the patients died and four others had to be admitted to hospitals. One illness was reported in a newborn who was infected with Listeria while the mother was pregnant, but the newborn survived.
“Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicates that bulk hard-boiled eggs produced by Almark Foods of Gainesville, GA, are a likely source of this outbreak,” the CDC reported. “Three of these people reported eating hard-boiled eggs in deli salads purchased from grocery stores and in salads eaten at restaurants.
“. . . Retailers and foodservice operators should know who supplies their bulk hard-boiled eggs. Consumers will not be able to tell if products they’ve purchased from stores contain these eggs, so it is important that people at higher risk for Listeria infections follow the advice listed below.”
In the outbreak announcement the CDC referenced a February inspection at the production plant that was conducted by the Food and Drug Administration. That inspection is described in an FDA warning letter sent to the company in July.
The FDA found the outbreak strain of Listeria in two locations at the plant. One was from a food contact surface and the other was from the floor in another room.
There is uncertainty about whether the implicated eggs are still in the supply chain. Almark recalled some products, according to the FDA warning letter, but a search of the agency’s recall database did not return any results for a recall by the company.
The outbreak investigation is ongoing, according to the CDC. Investigators are collecting records from grocery stores and restaurants where outbreak patients reported eating hard-boiled eggs.
“Investigations are ongoing to determine and document the distribution and production chain, as well as the source of hard-boiled eggs to the locations reported by ill people,” the CDC reported.
With the most recent patient having been discovered in November, there is a good chance that more will be identified because it can take up to 70 days after exposure for symptom of Listeria infection to develop.
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any of the implicated eggs and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.
Also, anyone who has eaten any of the eggs should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.
Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.
Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.
