The CDC and MDOH reported recently a total of five persons infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from four states.  The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Minnesota (2), and Ohio (1).  All five ill persons were hospitalized. One death was reported in Minnesota. One illness in a pregnant woman resulted in a miscarriage.

A collaborative investigation by local and state public health and regulatory agencies, CDC, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration indicates that Les Frères, Petit Frère, and Petit Frère with Truffles cheeses made by Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese Company is the likely source of this outbreak.

Just a year ago the CDC and MDOH reported a total of 22 persons infected with the outbreak-associated strain of Listeria monocytogenes were reported from 13 states and the District of Columbia. The number of ill persons identified in each state was as follows: California (3), Colorado (1), District of Columbia (1), Maryland (3), Massachusetts (1), Minnesota (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (3), New Mexico (1), New York (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (2), Virginia (2), and Washington (1).  20 ill persons were hospitalized. Four deaths were reported. Public health officials determined that two of these deaths were related to listeriosis. One fetal loss was reported.

Collaborative investigation efforts of local, state, and federal public health and regulatory agencies indicated that Frescolina Marte brand ricotta salata cheese imported from Italy and distributed by Forever Cheese, Inc. was the likely source of this outbreak.

I will be in Minnesota next week with clients from last years Listeria outbreak seeking a fair resolution that left one family with a dead child and the other family with a mom in ICU for weeks.