In 2014, there were four multistate Listeria outbreaks, the highest number in any year in the 16-year outbreak database at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.) In seven of those years, no multistate outbreaks were caused by Listeria.
Two of the 2014 outbreaks were caused by cheese, one by sprouts and another by caramel apples. Together they sickened 50 people, killing 11 of them.
The caramel apple Listeria outbreak began in December and is still ongoing. The age range for the 11-state outbreak spans nine decades and includes three pediatric cases of Listeria meningitis, three premature births, one fetal loss and six other cases related to pregnancy.
Health officials have linked the outbreak to contaminated apples produced by Bidart Brothers of Bakersfield, Calif.
In October 2014, a three-state outbreak linked to Oasis cheeses killed one person and sickened two others.
In March 2014, an outbreak linked to Roos Cheese sickened eight people in Maryland and California, killing one of them.
The Wholesome Soy Listeria outbreak sickened five people in Michigan and Illinois, killing two of them. The Chicago-based company is longer producing sprouts.
