MID-SHORE WIC

Our Easton office is moving! We are relocating to 611 Dutchmans Lane, Suite A, Easton MD 21601. WIC participants with an appointment on or after August 31 in Easton should arrive at our new location. This new space will allow us to better serve WIC families. We look forward to seeing you there! Please call us at 410-479-8060 if you have any questions about this change.

<< Back to News
ham sandwich on a seeded bun on a white plate

Recent Listeria Outbreak: What Pregnant Women Need to Know

Understanding the Threat

A recent outbreak of listeria has been linked to deli meats in several states, including Maryland. This raises serious health concerns, especially for pregnant women. Listeria, a bacteria found in contaminated food, can cause a severe infection called listeriosis. While it can affect anyone, pregnant women are about ten times more likely than others to get listeriosis, and the risks can be severe.

Why Listeria is Dangerous for Pregnant Women

Listeriosis can lead to severe complications during pregnancy, including:

  • Miscarriage: The infection can cause early pregnancy loss.
  • Stillbirth: Infections in later stages of pregnancy can lead to stillbirth.
  • Preterm Labor: Listeriosis can trigger early labor.
  • Serious Illness in Newborns: Babies infected with listeria can suffer from meningitis, blood infections, and other severe health issues.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. In severe cases, it can spread to the nervous system, causing headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.

Symptoms usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria, but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms.

Protecting Yourself and Your Baby

  • Do not eat meats you get sliced at any deli counter, unless it is reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot. Let it cool before you eat it.
  • Listeria can grow on foods kept in the refrigerator, but it is easily killed by heating food to a high enough temperature.
  • Clean your refrigerator, containers and surfaces that may have touched sliced deli meats.

What to Do if You Think You’ve Been Exposed

If you experience symptoms of listeriosis or believe you have consumed contaminated food, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Early treatment with antibiotics can help protect both you and your baby.

For more information on food safety during pregnancy, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.

[jetpack_subscription_form title="Subscribe to Mid-Shore WIC News"]