The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning about a listeria outbreak that is connected to Hispanic-style fresh, soft cheese.
The CDC said cheeses like queso fresco, queso blanco and queso panela could be contaminated with listeria, but the agency has not specified a brand or brands.
Experts said people who are pregnant, older than 65 or have a weakened immune system could get a severe illness due to listeria contamination. The CDC said if you are not part of those groups you are unlikely to get very sick.
If you have eaten Hispanic-style fresh and soft cheese and have had a headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions that come with fever and muscle aches, and you are not pregnant, you should call your doctor.
The CDC said that pregnant people, if sickened by the bacteria, normally will have fever, fatigue and muscle aches, but a listeria infection while pregnant can lead to a miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or a life-threatening infection for the baby.
The CDC said there were reports of seven illnesses in four states. The cheese has not yet been recalled and the investigation is ongoing.
Cox Media Group
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