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What is Listeria?

Boise, ID - Eighteen  people have died so far in an outbreak of listeria in cantaloupe coming from Colorado. And that outbreak has made its way to Idaho. More listeria has prompted a recall of lettuce from California. Juliette Tinker is a pathogenic microbiologist at Boise State University. Tinker is not surprised listeria is in the news. She says there are hundreds of listeria cases a year. The bacteria is common and especially prevalent on non-pasteurized dairy products and lunch meat. Tinker says it is unique among bacteria because of one skill.

Juliette Tinker “It can grow and replicate at cold temperatures. So if you put your soft cheese or your deli meat in the refrigerator its going to actually replicate happily and continue to grow there. So you can but a cantaloupe in the refrigerator and end up with much more listeria on it after a week or two.”

Listeria is usually harmless but it can pose a threat especially for pregnant women, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.  Tinker says the recent outbreak seems to be from a particularly virulent strain. Cantaloupe, she adds, can easily carry listeria.

Juliette Tinker "It’s got that rough exterior and even if you do wash it, you’re often times not getting everything off the surface. And then when you slice through it you can contaminate your whole cantaloupe with the knife that you’ve sliced through it.”

Hot dogs are another hot spot for listeria. Tinker says don’t eat them cold.

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