Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by a type of bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes. In the United States, about 1,600 people develop listeriosis each year, most often after eating food contaminated with the bacteria.
While anyone can become infected, some people are more likely to develop serious complications, including:
- Pregnant women
- Newborns
- Children with weakened immune systems
- Adults age 65 and older
Why Is Listeria Especially Concerning During Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, Listeria can pass from a pregnant person to their developing baby. An infection earlier in pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage, while an infection later in pregnancy may lead to stillbirth or serious illness in the newborn. In some cases, an infected newborn can become seriously ill or die shortly after birth.
Fortunately, listeriosis is uncommon in healthy children and rarely causes serious illness in children with healthy immune systems.
Is Listeria Common?
Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria found throughout the environment. Like other germs that cause food poisoning, it can contaminate food and make people sick.
Some foods are more likely to become contaminated with Listeria, including:
- Soft cheeses, such as feta, Brie, and Camembert
- Unpasteurized (raw) milk
- Ready-to-eat meats, including hot dogs, deli meats, and pâté
- Undercooked poultry
- Raw vegetables that haven’t been washed
Current Listeria Outbreak Linked to Cheese
Health officials are currently investigating a multistate outbreak of listeriosis linked to soft cheese made by Clover Hill Dairy, LLC. As of the FDA’s June 29, 2026 update, 12 people in 4 states had been infected, with 10 hospitalizations and 1 reported death. The investigation is ongoing.
Clover Hill Dairy has expanded its recall to include all of its cheese products because of the potential for Listeria contamination. Recalled products may have been sold under other brand names or repackaged before reaching consumers.
Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled cheese. Check your refrigerator and freezer for affected products and follow the FDA’s instructions for returning or safely discarding them. If you or your child develops symptoms of listeriosis after eating a recalled product, contact your healthcare provider.
Check the FDA’s current Listeria outbreak investigation and recall information
Symptoms
For most people, listeriosis causes mild symptoms, such as fever and diarrhea. Many people recover within a few days without needing medical treatment. Symptoms may begin within about a day of eating contaminated food and often last for two to three days.
More serious illness is less common, but it can develop days or even weeks after exposure. In children, severe listeriosis can sometimes lead to meningitis, an infection involving the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Listeriosis can be particularly dangerous during pregnancy. A pregnant person may develop fever, tiredness, muscle aches, or digestive symptoms, although some people may have no noticeable symptoms at all. Infection during pregnancy can lead to serious complications, including pregnancy loss or premature birth.
What Are the Signs of Listeriosis in Babies?
Listeriosis can cause serious, and sometimes life-threatening, illness in newborns and young infants. Signs of infection may include:
- Unusual sleepiness or sluggishness
- Vomiting
- Poor appetite or difficulty feeding
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- A skin rash
- Breathing difficulties
If your baby develops these symptoms—especially if they are very young—contact their healthcare provider promptly for guidance.
Diagnosis & Treatment
Doctors can diagnose listeriosis using laboratory tests. Depending on the situation, they may test samples of blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
If a newborn is suspected of having listeriosis, doctors may also test the placenta or amniotic fluid for Listeria bacteria.
When listeriosis is diagnosed during pregnancy, antibiotic treatment can help reduce the risk of the infection spreading to the developing baby. Babies and infants who develop a Listeria monocytogenes infection can also be treated with antibiotics.
Prevention
People at higher risk for serious listeriosis can take a few simple steps to reduce their chances of getting sick. Good food safety habits are especially important during pregnancy and around newborns.
Follow these food-safety tips:
- Cook animal products thoroughly. Meat, poultry, and other foods from animal sources should be cooked completely before eating.
- Choose pasteurized dairy products. Check food labels and look for the word “pasteurized.” Avoid raw (unpasteurized) milk and dairy products made from it, including some soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, and queso fresco.
- Wash raw fruits and vegetables before eating or preparing them.
- Keep refrigerated ready-to-eat foods at 40°F or below.
- Keep raw meat and poultry separate from other foods, especially fruits and vegetables.
- Wash your hands, knives, cutting boards, and other surfaces after they come into contact with raw meat or other uncooked foods.
- Reheat leftovers and ready-to-eat foods until they’re steaming hot. This includes foods such as hot dogs.
- Use caution with deli foods. Consider avoiding prepared salads, deli meats, and deli cheeses, or heat them until they’re steaming hot before eating.
Remember: Pasteurized Doesn’t Mean Contamination Is Impossible
Pasteurization kills Listeria bacteria, making pasteurized foods a safer choice than raw or unpasteurized products. However, even pasteurized foods can become contaminated after processing if they come into contact with contaminated surfaces, equipment, or other foods.
Practicing good food safety from the grocery store to the kitchen can help lower the risk of listeriosis and other foodborne illnesses.