According to the CDC, the Food and Drug Administration, and state officials, these cheeses are a likely source of an outbreak that left seven people hospitalized in Connecticut, Maryland, New York, and Virginia.
“People who are not at a higher risk of serious illness should make sure that the fresh and soft Spanish-style cheeses (such as queso fresco) they eat have labels that read, ‘Made with pasteurized milk,’ the CDC said. in a press release on Friday.
People at higher risk for serious listeria disease, such as pregnant people or people over the age of 65, should avoid these cheese products, the CDC said.
“Do not eat fresh and soft Spanish-style cheeses (such as queso fresco, queso blanco and queso panela) until we have identified a specific type or brand that is making people sick,” the agency said.
Listeria can cause common symptoms of food poisoning, such as nausea and diarrhea.
“Pregnant people typically only experience fever, fatigue, and muscle pain. However, Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn,” the CDC said.
“People who are not pregnant may also experience headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions in addition to fever and muscle pain,” the CDC said.
“Contact your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of severe Listeria disease after eating Spanish-style fresh and soft cheeses.”
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