Listeriosis kills two Texans, sicken five other
Two Texans have been killed, and five others sickened, after developing listeriosis as a result of consuming the food-borne bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. Five of the victims are from Bexar County, while the other two are from Travis and Hidalgo counties.
Investigators have reported that the same strain of the bacteria sickened all of the affected individuals. They are still working to pinpoint a cause. In the meantime, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a public health warning for prosciutto imported from Canada and sold under the brands Casa Italia and Emma.
Listeriosis is a bacterial infection. Outbreaks are sometimes linked to foods such as soft cheeses and deli meats. Listeriosis causes flu-like symptoms in healthy people. In persons who are elderly, pregnant, or have weakened immune systems, however, the fatality rate from this infection can reach 20 percent. The Center for Disease Control estimates that there 2500 persons become seriously ill from listeriosis in the country each year, and that 500 die from the infection.
