Multistate, travel-associated outbreak of listeriosis linked to a local ice cream producer – Florida, 2021–2022
Alexandra Palacios, Kimberly Stockdale, Angela Chen, Nicole Sodders, Sybil Masse, Asma Madad, Tiffany Greenlee, Benjamin Warren, Timothy Jackson, Teresa Gorden, Lindsay Porter, Paul Rehme, Ann Shen, Jasmine Huffman, Kelly Tomson, Laura Whitlock, Laura Gieraltowski, Matthew Wise, Amanda Conrad, Carina BlackmoreAbstract
Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) outbreaks linked to ice cream were historically small and included ill people in institutional settings. In 2021–2022, a large Lm outbreak occurred where ill people did not reside in institutional settings. Cases were identified using whole genome sequencing. Investigators reviewed interview data, customer lists, invoices, and molecular subtyping results that linked illnesses to a single Florida ice cream producer. This outbreak included 28 cases from 11 states, which resulted in 27 hospitalizations and one death. Seven illnesses were associated with pregnancy; one resulted in a foetal loss. Of 28 patients with information, 25 (89%) reported living in or travelling to Florida before illness. Of 23 patients with exposure information, all reported ice cream consumption before illness, and 16 (70%) reported Creamery A ice cream. Creamery A recalled all product. This is the first known travel-associated listeriosis outbreak in the United States and the largest reported listeriosis outbreak linked to ice cream. This outbreak included pregnant women and teenagers, which are populations not seen in previous Lm ice cream outbreaks. Recently, more listeriosis outbreaks linked to ice cream have been associated with small, local producers. Continued education and outreach to ice cream producers is critical to prevent Listeria contamination.