They clarify that the people infected have been reported from September 1, 2016, and that they all ate various types of soft cheeses in the month before their illness started. Due to the risk, Vulto recalled several of its wash-rind raw milk cheeses Tuesday, according to an FDA announcement. The company that produces these products announced a recall of all the raw milk cheeses.
The deaths, which haven't been identified yet, occurred in Vermont and CT, and six other listeria cases have been reported in New York, Florida, Vermont, and CT.
The agencies have been investigating this outbreak since January 31, 2017.
Listeria is a severe infection that is usually caused by contaminated products. Product photos of all Vulto Cheese products being recalled along with a brief description are attached. Other foods commonly associated with Listeria outbreaks are improperly pasteurized dairy products, deli meats, and ready-to-eat, prepackaged foods. The cheeses had been distributed nationwide, with most selling in the Northeastern and mid-Atlantic states; California; Chicago; Portland, Oregon; and the District of Columbia. The CDC is working with the FDA in order to solve this listeria outbreak.
Listeriosis is a serious infection generally caused by contaminated food and is particularly unsafe to pregnant women, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
People who have purchased any of the raw milk cheese produced by Vulto should not consume them. They found that the outbreak began in NY, at Vulto Creamery of Walton.
Symptoms appear a few days or up to a few weeks after eating the contaminated food. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths and fetal infection among pregnant women.
Vulto Creamery, Walton, New York, is out of an abundance of caution expanded the recall to include all lots for four additional cheeses which include, by name the following: Andes, Blue Blais, Hamden & Walton Umber. Persons with AIDS are 300 times more likely to be diagnosed with listeriosis. Other recent outbreaks were tied to soft cheeses, celery, sprouts, cantaloupe and ice cream. The production and distribution of all cheese products have been suspended while FDA and the company continue to investigate the source of the problem.