The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns people to stay away from Hispanic-style cheese that they believe is related to a listeria outbreak that has spread to New York.
The agency said Friday that it has not identified the specific source of the virus, but suspects there are specific cheeses.
“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 Friday.
According to the CDC, seven people between the ages of 45 and 75 became ill and were hospitalized with the disease between October 20 and February 11.
Six of the cases were 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 eating at least one fresh Hispanic cheese before they got sick.
Pregnant people and those over the age of 65 have a higher risk of suffering from serious bacterial diseases and may experience mild symptoms such as fever, fatigue and muscle aches, and as severe as having a miscarriage, the agency said. .
No withdrawal has yet been issued.