An outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes that began in early February has expanded to include more than 130 cheese products sold in at least 10 states and Canada.

Deutsch Kase Haus LLC of Middleburg, Ind., supplied cheese for products sold by national brands and store-branded products. Recall announcements have been issued by the FDA and retail brands, including MDS Foods, Biery Cheese Company, Sargento, Sari Lee and several others. These recalls are due to the potential threat of Listeria and apply to cheese products sold in Alabama, California, Louisiana, Michigan, Tennessee, Georgia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin. There are no known cases in Iowa.

Listeriosis is a serious infection, particularly for pregnant women, newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems who are more prone to this infection. It usually causes a mild illness for pregnant women, but may cause severe disease in the fetus or newborn baby. Infections during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn.

Listeriosis is usually spread by eating contaminated food. It has a wide-ranging incubation period from three to 70 days. One should seek medical care and inform the doctor about eating possibly contaminated food if there is fever and other symptoms of possible listeriosis, such as fatigue and muscle aches, within two months after eating possibly contaminated food.

Each year in the United States, about 1,600 people become infected by Listeria and 260 die. The CDC provides a list symptoms - including those for pregnant women – and other information about the illness.

Public health officials in many states and the Food and Drug Administration are investigating the outbreak.