The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns people to move away from Hispanic-style cheese, believing it is linked to an outbreak of listeria that has spread to New York.
The agency said on Friday that it had not identified the specific source of the virus, but suspected that the specific cheese was involved.
“Don’t eat fresh, soft Hispanic-style cheeses (such as queso fresco, queso blanco and queso panela) until we identify a specific type or brand that makes people sick,” the agency wrote in a statement Friday. .
Seven people between the ages of 45 and 75 became ill and were hospitalized with the disease between October 20 and February 11, according to the CDC.
Six of the cases have been identified this year. Four were found in Maryland, one in Virginia, one in New York and one in Connecticut.
At least four people interviewed by health officials reported consuming at least one fresh Hispanic-style cheese before falling ill.
Pregnant people and those aged 65 and over are at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill with bacteria and may have symptoms as minor as fever, fatigue and muscle aches – and as severe as having a miscarriage. , said the agency.
No recalls have been issued yet.