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Five dead from listeria linked to caramel apples Five dead from listeria linked to caramel apples
(about 2 hours later)
Five people have died and 21 more have been hospitalized after they were infected with listeria linked to prepackaged caramel apples, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. Five people have died and 21 more hospitalized after they were infected with listeria linked to prepackaged caramel apples, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.
In all, 28 people in 10 states were infected in October and November by the bacterium, which causes listeriosis, a life-threatening illness. The CDC is urging consumers not to eat "commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples" while it investigates the outbreak. No illnesses have been linked to uncoated apples or caramel candy, or caramel apples that are not prepackaged, the agency said. In all, 28 people in 10 states were infected in October and November by the bacterium, which causes listeriosis, a life-threatening illness. The CDC is urging consumers not to eat "commercially produced, prepackaged caramel apples" while it investigates the outbreak. No illnesses have been linked to uncoated apples or caramel candy, or to caramel apples that are not prepackaged, the agency said.
Listeria can live in food processing plants and can grow even in cold temperatures, such as those in refrigerators. It is killed by cooking and pasteurization. It is also found in soil and water and in animals such as poultry and cattle, and can be present in raw milk or food made from raw milk. Listeria is ubiquitous in the environment and can live in food processing plants, even in cold temperatures, such as those in refrigerators. It is killed by cooking and pasteurization. It is also found in soil and water and in animals such as poultry and cattle, and can be present in raw milk or food made from raw milk.
Minnesota health officials have determined that two people died and two others were sickened in the  fall after eating contaminated prepackaged caramel apples, according to the Associated Press. The four were between 59 and 90 years old. Minnesota health officials have determined that two people died and two others were sickened after eating contaminated prepackaged caramel apples, according to the Associated Press. The four were between 59 and 90 years old.
The CDC said nine of the illnesses across the nation occurred in pregnant women or newborns. The disease particularly affects  older adults, pregnant women, newborns and people with weakened immune systems. Three people have come down with meningitis.The CDC said nine of the illnesses across the nation occurred in pregnant women or newborns. The disease particularly affects  older adults, pregnant women, newborns and people with weakened immune systems. Three people have come down with meningitis.
The other states where infections have been found are: Arizona (4), California (1),  Missouri (5), New Mexico (5), North Carolina (1), Texas (4), Utah (1), Washington (1) and Wisconsin (2). The other states where infections have been found are: Arizona (4), California (1), Missouri (5), New Mexico (5), North Carolina (1), Texas (4), Utah (1), Washington (1) and Wisconsin (2).
Listeria outbreaks are rare but dangerous. In 2011, listeria in cantaloupes killed 33 people and sickened 147 in 28 states, according to the CDC. In 2012, 22 people were infected and four died in an outbreak attributed to a brand of ricotta cheese imported from Italy, the agency said.Listeria outbreaks are rare but dangerous. In 2011, listeria in cantaloupes killed 33 people and sickened 147 in 28 states, according to the CDC. In 2012, 22 people were infected and four died in an outbreak attributed to a brand of ricotta cheese imported from Italy, the agency said.
Bill Marler, a food safety attorney in Seattle who is representing many of the victims of the 2011 listeria outbreak, said he believes it's likely that the contamination occurred at a food processing plant. Once listeria takes hold in such a plant, it can be difficult to eliminate it, he said.
"Could it have been on the apples that came into a facility? Absolutely," he said. "But they were probably washed." The caramel itself, he said, seems unlikely to harbor the bacteria. "I certainly think the more likely scenario is the manufacturing facility where this was produced was contaminated," he said.
Listeria can take as long as 70 days to incubate and sicken someone, especially a healthy person, which may explain why there was a long time lag in piecing together the outbreak, he said. States also move at different speeds in tracking down public health threats, Marler said.
The CDC did not comment beyond the announcement it released Friday morning.
This post has been updated.This post has been updated.