Half of those sickened in the 10-state Listeria outbreak linked to caramel apples are over the age of 64. People in this age group are among those at highest risk for Listeria infections. Others in this high-risk group include pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems.
Of the 28 people sickened in this outbreak, nine cases were related to pregnancies including illness in babies who were born prematurely because their mothers ate the contaminated apples while pregnant. Of the cases not related to pregnancy, those sickened ranged in age from 7 to 92. Two thirds of them were male.
The ages of case patients by state has not been releases, except for Minnesota, which was first to announce the outbreak. In Minnesota, where all four case patients were between the ages of 59-90, two people died.
Case counts reported from other states are as follows: Arizona (4), California (1), Minnesota (4), Missouri (5), New Mexico (5), North Carolina (1), Texas (4), Utah (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (2).
Health officials say that until more is known about the origin of the product that caused 26 hospitalizations and 5 deaths, consumers should not eat commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples, including those covered with nuts, sprinkles, chocolate, or other toppings.
