JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Twenty-six people from 11 states, including two people in Florida and Georgia, have been infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The outbreak is linked to a large recall of queso fresco, cotija cheese and other Rizo-Lopez Foods dairy products. Rico-Lopez Foods recalled all cheeses and dairy products on Monday.
Recommended Videos
The first initial cases were reported from 2014 through 2023.
Out of the 26 reported illnesses there have been two reported deaths.
Listeria is typically more prone to affect pregnant women, people aged 65 or older, or those with weakened immune systems. Experts say symptoms usually start within two weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria but may start as early as the same day.
To help combat future Listeria outbreaks the CDC said to clean out refrigerators, containers and surfaces that may’ve been touched by the recalled dairy products.
For more information about Listeria, see the Listeria questions and answers page.