A Florida ice cream maker who only sells in the state is responsible for a listeria outbreak that has killed one person, possibly terminated a pregnancy, and hospitalized at least 22 people across ten states, the New York Times reports.
Sarasota-based Big Olaf Creamery supplies ice cream to stores and restaurants throughout southern Florida. At least ten people outside of Florida have been hospitalized with listeria after having visited the state in the previous month. The youngest was under one year old and the oldest was a 92-year-old man.
Each year, about 1,600 Americans contract bacterial infections caused by listeria, which can linger for months in patients. Infections come from raw milk products, undercooked poultry and unwashed vegetables. The proper treatment is to see your doctor, who can provide antibacterial medications, not to use something you read about on the internets.