The deaths of three adults at a hospital facility in Kansas have been linked to ice cream from Blue Bell Creameries. Some five people had developed listeriosis complications after consuming ice creams from Blue Bell. The company has announced a recall of some of its products linked to the deaths and infections. Investigators have also moved in to look into the matter, with CDC sounding warning against consumption of certain Blue Bell ice cream servings.
Unrelated health conditions
The five people who developed foodborne illness after taking single-serving ice cream from Blue Bell were being treated for some unrelated health conditions. All the five patients were receiving treatment at Via Christi St. Francis hospital, which is in Wichita, Kansas. At least four of the patients are said to have consumed Blue Bell milkshakes called “Scoops” while being treated in the hospital.
According to the FDA, listeria bacteria were found in some Blue Bell products that include Great Divide Bars, Cotton Candy Bars, Vanilla Stick Slices, Scoops, Almond Bars, No Sugar Added Moo Bars, and Sour Pop Green Apple Bars.
Listeria bacteria cause deadly infection known as listeriosis. The bacterial usually affects people whose immune systems have become weak because of some other serious condition or cancer treatment. Listeriosis has also been cited as a common infection among older adults and pregnant women.
Symptoms of listeriosis
Symptoms of listeriosis include fever, muscle aches and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms. The infection usually finds its way into the bloodstream and the central nervous system thereby causing meningitis. People with listeria bacteria infection can notice the symptoms several day after consuming contaminated food. However, in other cases listeriosis can develop after nearly two months after consuming tainted food. According to CDC, antibiotics are used to treat listeriosis.
As investigation into the ice cream contamination, Blue Bell has announced a recall of some of its products. The company further said that it has never recalled products for all the 108 years of its operation.