Five people are dead and dozens more sick in a 10-state Listeria outbreak linked to caramel apples, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports. Consumers should not eat commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples, including those covered with nuts, sprinkles, chocolate, or other toppings, until more information is available.
So far, 28 people have been sickened, 26 were hospitalized and five people have died. Pregnant women are at special risk for Listeria infections which can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and infection in the newborn baby. Nine of the illnesses in this outbreak affected pregnant woman and newborn babies. Three cases of Listeria meningitis were among otherwise healthy children ages 5 to 15.
Case counts by state 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).
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