The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment have reported that five adult patients who were all treated in the same hospital in Kansas, were infected with one of four rare strains of Listeria monocytogenes. Subsequently three of those patients died.
Three strains of Listeria monocytogenes, which are extremely similar to the ones found in the patients, have also been discovered in products manufactured at the Blue Bell Creameries production facility which is located in Brenham, Texas.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was alerted that these three strains and four other rare strains of Listeria monocytogenes were found in samples of Blue Bell Creameries single serving Chocolate Chip Country Cookie Sandwich and the Great Divide Bar ice cream products collected by the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control during routine product sampling at a Blue Bell South Carolina distribution center.
Ice cream in hospital
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, hospital records available for four patients show that all were served ice cream from Blue Bell Creameries’ pre-packaged, single-serving products and milkshakes made from these products. The hospital receives ice cream manufactured by Blue Bell Creameries, although it is not confirmed that the hospital receives ice cream only from the Brenham facility.
Blue Bell Creameries reports that it has removed the affected ice cream products from the market by picking it up directly from the retailers and hospital areas it serves. In exercising extreme caution, the company has shut down the production line where the products were made.
The FDA is moving hastily to investigate the issue and learn as much as possible to prevent additional people from becoming ill. In a statement the FDA said, “We recognize that people will be concerned about these illnesses, and we will continue to provide updates and advice.”
Symptoms of Listeriosis and who is at risk
Listeriosis is a rare but serious illness caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. Anyone who experiences fever and muscle aches, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms, or develops fever and chills after eating the ice cream should seek medical care and tell their health care provider about any history of eating the ice cream. Symptoms can appear from a few days up to a few weeks after consumption of the contaminated food. Listeriosis can be fatal, especially in certain high-risk groups. These groups include the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems and certain chronic medical conditions (such as cancer). In pregnant women, listeriosis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, and serious illness or death in newborn babies. (Source FDA)
