Reuters 3/2/99
"Official listeria death toll rises to 20; nearly 100 ill "
Washington --The death toll from tainted Sara Lee Corp. hot dogs and lunch meats has risen to 20;, with nearly 100 others sickened by the meat, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday.
The outbreak of a rare strain of listeria bacteria has forced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to look at emergency measures, including possible warning labels on packages or stricter testing by meat plants.
Listeria typically affects only infants, unborn babies (sic), elderly people and others with weak immune systems. Although less common than other forms of food borne illness, listeria is more lethal and kills about 20 % of consumers who fall ill.
Illnesses linked to Bil Mar and other brands produced by Sara Lee were reported in 22 states, the CDC said.
The CDC recently theorized that the outbreak may have been caused by dust from air conditioning repairs at the Bil Mar plant owned by Sara lee near Zeeland, Michigan.
All the documented illnesses linked to listeria were reported between August and mid-January.
Recalled product packages bear the numbers EST P261 or EST 6911 and were sold under the brand names Ball Park, Bil Mar, Bryan Bunsize, Bryan 3-lb Club Pack, Grillmaster, Hygrade, Mr. Turkey, Sara Lee Deli Meat, and Sara Lee Home Roast brands. (end of article)
Charles Brown
>>> <MScoleman at aol.com> 03/03/99 09:40PM >>>
In a message dated 99-03-03 11:37:25 EST, you write:
<< That's why I wonder if they might neglect to fix some Y2K problems that might cause deaths because they might lose more money doing the early fix.
Charles Brown
>>
i'm certain of it. maggie