1985 — April-July 28, Listeria food poisoning; unpasteurized milk contaminated cheese, esp. LA Co., CA –85-95
85-95 Blanchard estimate based on sources below.[1]
California (85)
County breakouts where noted: (55)
–43 Los Angeles County.
— 7 Orange County.
— 2 San Diego County.
— 1 San Joaquin County.
— 1 Riverside County.
— 1 Ventura County.
–95 UPI. “Tainted cheese epidemic over.” Ukiah Daily Journal, CA, 8-13-1985, p. 12.[2]
–(“About half the deaths occurred in Los Angeles County…”)
–86 AP. “More suites to hit cheese company. Times-Standard, Eureka, CA. 8-1-1985, p. 6.[3]
–85 CA. AP. “Questions about listeriosis linger.” Orange County Register, CA. 8-14-1985, B7.
–43 Los Angeles County.
–85 Orange County Register, CA. “Agency shuts down 3rd cheese plant.” 7-24-1985, A3.
–81 California, primarily Los Angeles area.[4]
–84 Orange County Register, CA. “2 more stillbirths tied to Listeria, LA officials say.” 7-20-1985, A3.[5]
–41 Los Angeles County. Deaths and stillbirths.
–75 AP. “No new strain of bacteria, just a lab error.” Orange County Register, CA. 7-18-1985, A3.[6]
–64 AP. “Vendor who sold cheese after recall…sought.” Times-Standard, Eureka CA. 7-16-1985, 8.[7]
–62 NYT. “62 Deaths From Cheese Traced to Single Source.” 7-14-1985. Accessed 11-8-2017.[8]
–62 Orange County Register. “Officials give Cacique Cheese Co. clean bill of health.” 7-14-1985, A3.[9]
–61 Orange County Register, CA. “Second source of listeriosis feared.” 7-11-1985, A3.
–36 Los Angeles County.
–58 Orange County Register. “Cacique cheese ordered removed from shelves.” 7-10-1985, 1.[10]
–57 AP. “More deaths linked to cheese.” Times-Standard, Eureka, CA, 7-9-1985, p. 3.[11]
–34 Los Angeles County.
–52 Neuman. “Deaths From Cantaloupe Listeria Rise.” New York Times, 9-27-2011.[12]
–51 AP. “Criminal probe in toxic cheese case.” Times-Standard, Eureka, CA, 6-27-1985, p. 6.[13]
–50 UPI. “Probe into cheese processing expands.” Ukiah Daily Journal, CA, 6-30-1985, p.16.[14]
–2 San Diego County.
–48 Linnan, M.J., et al. “Epidemic listeriosis associated with Mexican-style cheese.” NEJM.
–18 adults.
–10 newborns.
–20 fetuses
–48 Orange County Register, CA. “Cheese recall expands to second firm.” 6-26-1985, A3.
–47 Segal. “Invisible Villains; Tiny Microbes Are Biggest Food Hazard,” FDA Consumer.
–18 adults.
–10 infants
–19 stillbirths.
–43 Orange County Register, CA. “Recall of tainted cheese gets scrutiny.” 6-24-1985, A3.[15]
–40 UPI. “40th death from tainted cheese.” Ukiah Daily Journal, CA, 6-25-1985, p. 3.
–32 Orange County Register, CA. “Cheese maker laying off 100 workers.” 6-20-1985, p. 3.
–24 Las Angeles County.
— 7 Orange County.
— 1 Riverside County.
–31 CDC WONDER. ICD-9 Code 027 (listeria) compressed mortality file search 11-8-2017.[16]
–27 Adults
— 4 Under 1 year old.
–30 UPI. “Fatal bacteria may have survived pasteurization.” Ukiah Journal, 6-19-1985, p. 16.[17]
–29 CDC. “Epidemiologic Notes and Reports Listeriosis Outbreak…”MMWR, 34/24, 357-9.
— 8 non-neonatal.
— 8 neonatal.
–13 stillbirths
–29 Orange County Register. “Jalisco chief says crisis may close plant.” 6-15-1985, p.A3.[18]
–29 Orange County Register, CA. “Investigators comb cheese factory…” 6-16-1985, p. 1.
–22 Los Angeles County.[19]
— 7 Orange County.[20]
–28 Flynn. “Remembering the Sad 1985 Listeriosis Outbreak.” Food Safety News, 11-4-2011.
–18 adults.
–10 infants
–20 miscarriages [not included in death-toll]
–28 Healthline.com. “Worst Foodborne Illness Outbreaks in Recent U.S. History” (webpage).
–18 adults.
–10 infants
–20 miscarriages [not included in death-toll]
CDC WONDER County Breakout[21]
Alameda County ( 3)
–1 Female, 75-84.
–2 Males, 75-84.
Los Angeles County (11)
–2 Infants, under 1, male and female.
–2 Females, 45-54.
–1 Female, 55-64.
–1 Female, 65-74.
–1 Female, 75-84.
–1 Female, 85+.
–1 Male, 20-24.
–1 Male, 45-54.
–1 Male, 55-64.
Orange County ( 3)
–1 Female, under 1 year.
–1 Male, under 1 year.
–1 Male, 45-54.
Riverside County ( 3)
–1 Female, 65-74.
–1 Male, 65-74.
–1 Male, 75-84.
San Bernardino Co. ( 4)
–1 Female, under 1 year.
–1 Female, 75-84.
–1 Male, 65-74.
–1 75-84.
San Diego County ( 2)
–1 Female, 65-74.
–1 Male, 75-84.
San Joaquin County ( 1)
–1 Male, 55-64.
Santa Cruz County ( 1)
–1 Female, 55-64.
Sutter County ( 1)
–1 Female, 65-74
Ventura County ( 2)
–1 Female, under 1 year.
–1 Male, 75-84.
Narrative Information
CDC, June 21: “Between January 1, and June 14, 1985, 86 cases of Listeria monocytogenes infection were identified in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, California. Fifty-eight of the cases were among mother-infant pairs. Twenty-nine deaths have occurred: eight neonatal deaths, 13 stillbirths, and eight non-neonatal deaths. An increased occurrence of listeriosis was first noted at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center; all cases were in pregnant Hispanics, and all appeared to be community-acquired. A systematic review of laboratory records at hospitals in Los Angeles and Orange County identified additional cases throughout the area.
“An analysis of Los Angeles County cases showed that 45 (63%) of the Listeria cases were among mother-newborn pairs. Most (70%) of these women had a prior febrile illness or were febrile on admission to the hospital. Forty-two of the neonatal patients had onset of disease within 24 hours of birth, and all isolates available for testing were serotype 4b. Three of the neonatal patients had late onset disease; only one of the two isolates available for testing was serotype 4b.
“The mothers ranged in age from 15 years to 43 years (mean 28 years). The mean gestational age was 33 weeks. Forty-three (96%) of these pairs were Hispanic; one was white; and one was Asian….
“A case-control study was conducted among the Los Angeles County Hispanic patients who had early onset; mothers with listeriosis were more likely to have consumed Mexican-style fresh cheeses than age-matched controls, Hispanic women who had delivered at the same hospital within 10 days of their matched case (odds ratio: 5.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.2-24.8). Consumption of cheese from one particular manufacturer, Jalisco Products, Inc., was significantly associated with risk of disease (odds ratio: 7.5; 95% confidence interval: 1.4-94.6).
“Samples of Mexican-style cheeses from three different manufacturers purchased from markets in Los Angeles were cultured at CDC; four packages of Jalisco cheese products grew L. monocytogenes serotype 4b. The four positive cheese samples were of two varieties, queso fresco and cotija. All four contaminated samples had different expiration dates–ranging from June 28, to August 16, 1985–suggesting a continuing problem with this manufacturer’s cheese products.
“On June 13, the manufacturer instituted a voluntary recall of the implicated cheese products. Television, radio, and newspaper announcements were made warning the public against ingestion of Jalisco brand cheese products, as well as Guadalajara, Jimenez, and LaVaquita brands manufactured in the Jalisco plant. Currently, the California State Department of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are conducting studies of the dairy herds, physical plant, and cheese manufacturing processes.
“Eighty percent of the cheese made by this manufacturer is distributed to Los Angeles and Orange Counties. However, Jalisco cheese products are distributed to at least 16 other states and most areas of California.” (CDC. “Epidemiologic Notes and Reports Listeriosis Outbreak…”MMWR, 34/24, 357-9.)
Healthline.com: “1985 Jalisco Products cheese. Over eight months, a Listeria outbreak affected 142 residents of Los Angeles County. This lead to the deaths of 10 newborns and 18 adults. It was also responsible for 20 miscarriages. An in-depth investigation linked the deaths to Jalisco Products’ Mexican soft cheeses. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the suspected cause of the outbreak was unpasteurized milk. The company instituted a voluntary recall of its products.” (Healthline.com. “Worst Foodborne Illness Outbreaks in Recent U.S. History” (webpage).)
Linnan, et al. Abstract: “In Los Angeles County, California, 142 cases of human listeriosis were reported from January 1 through August 15, 1985. Ninety-three cases (65.5 percent) occurred in pregnant women or their offspring, and 49 (34.5 percent) in non-pregnant adults. There were 48 deaths: 20 fetuses, 10 neonates [newborns], and 18 non-pregnant adults. Of the non-pregnant adults, 98 percent (48 of 49) had a known predisposing condition. Eighty-seven percent (81 of 93) of the maternal/neonatal cases were Hispanic. Of the Listeria monocytogenes isolates available for study, 82 percent (86 of 105) were serotype 4b, of which 63 of 86 (73 percent) were the same phage type. A case-control study implicated Mexican-style soft cheese (odds ratio, 5.5; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.2 to 24.8) as the vehicle of infection; a second case-control study showed an association with one brand (Brand A) of Mexican-style soft cheese (odds ratio, 8.5; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.4 to 26.2). Laboratory study confirmed the presence of L. monocytogenes serogroup 4b of the epidemic phage type in Brand A Mexican-style cheese. In mid-June, all Brand A cheese was recalled and the factory was closed. An investigation of the cheese plant suggested that the cheese was commonly contaminated with unpasteurized milk. We conclude that the epidemic of listeriosis was caused by ingestion of Brand A cheese contaminated by one phage type of L. monocytogenes serotype 4b.” (Linnan, et al. “Epidemic listeriosis associated with Mexican-style cheese.” NEJM, 319/13, 9-29-1988, 823.)
Segal: “….Summer 1985: In Southern California, the largest number of food poisoning deaths recorded in recent U.S. history is traced to Mexican-style soft cheese. Of the 142 reported cases, there were 47 deaths, including 19 stillbirths and 10 infant deaths. The killer — Listeria monocytogenes.” (Segal. “Invisible Villains; Tiny Microbes Are Biggest Food Hazard,” FDA Consumer, 7-1-1988.)
Newspapers
June 15: “Artesia[22] — The president of Jalisco Mexican Products Inc., whose contaminated cheese has been blamed for 29 deaths, said Friday [June 14] that the tragedy could close the company for good. ‘There is a very good possibility we could close,’ said Gary McPherson, who escorted an army of state and federal investigators at the company plant. “Right now we are trying to determine where the problem is and get the product off the shelf.’….
“The national Centers for Disease Control said bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes, which causes a flulike illness, have been detected in sample of Jalisco cheese.
“The illness has killed 29 people since April, most of them women and children and all in Orange and Los Angeles counties.
“Workers…from the plant that employs 100 people, said they first heard of the problem Thursday night [June 13] through the news media….” (Orange County Register, CA. “Jalisco chief says crisis may close plant.” 6-15-1985, p. A3.)
June 15: “Hispanic community groups in Orange County on Friday denounced health authorities for not notifying the public earlier about the Listeria outbreak. Warning should have come a week and a half ago, they said, when investigators had pinpointed cheese as the factor all the listeriosis victims had in common, or at least on Tuesday, when tabulations pointed at cheese made by Jalisco Mexican Products Co. ‘Probably the delay has caused some deaths,’ said Lorenzo Quintana, president of the League of United Latin American Citizens chapter in Orange.
“Professionals in the medical community, on the other hand, heaped praise on health investigators for tracking the contamination source so quickly after being alerted to the problem some five weeks ago. ‘I think they’ve done a remarkable job, when you consider we’ve had situations like this in the past where we’ve had large numbers of infections and never figured out the source,’ said Dr. Thomas Prendergast, director of epidemiology for the Orange County Health Department…..
“Eyebrows were first raised by Jalisco-brand cheese about three weeks ago when a health investigator found in one victim’s refrigerator a chunk of uncovered cheese that turned out to be contaminated with Listeria, a common bacteria in livestock but usually killed in the pasteurization process…That find, in itself, was not enough for a warning, Fannin said,[23] because the cheese could have been contaminated from being left out. Investigators then decided to test some unopened packages of cheese, selecting for test supermarket samples of Jalisco and cheeses from two other unnamed companies. Those samples were sent on June 8 to thee national Centers for Disease Control laboratory in Atlanta. While awaiting results, Los Angeles County officials said, they discovered Tuesday that Jalisco brand cheese was a common factor among the victims….” (Orange County Register, CA. “Hispanics say Listeria warning slow in coming.” 6-15-1985, p. A3.)
June 15: “The first clues were the babies’ deaths. In April, stillborn and newborn deaths from listeriosis…alarmed doctors at UCI Medical Center in Orange. Similar concern surfaced at County-USC Medical Center in Los Angeles. By early May, health departments in both counties were alerted and checking for other reports of the disease. Soon, the medical detectives centered in Los Angeles were on the trail of the mysterious outbreak. Less than a month later, they had their culprit: a popular Mexican-style cheese produced by Jalisco Mexican Products Inc. of Artesia….” (Orange County Register, CA. “On the trail of a mystery infection.” 6-15-1985, A3.)
June 15: “Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterial villain responsible for 29 deaths from contaminated cheese, is a hardy little organism that can live almost everywhere, medical and agricultural experts said Friday. But if the milk used to make Jalisco cheese had been pasteurized properly, all the bacteria should have been killed, they said….The milk used in manufacturing the contaminated cheese supposedly had been pasteurized, the experts said — a process in which milk is heated to at least 145 degrees to kill any microorganisms.
“If the pasteurization was conducted properly, all Listeria contaminating the milk would have been killed, said Michael Doyle, a University of Wisconsin microbiologist…But if the bacteria are not all killed, perhaps because of faulty temperature gauging or timing, he said, they take on a second life — in the refrigerator. ‘It is nearly unique in that it will grow at refrigeration temperatures,’ Doyle said. ‘If you have one cell that’s not killed by pasteurization, then if the cheese is held in a refrigerator a few weeks, you can develop large numbers of cells.’….
“Listeria only poses a threat to those whose own natural defenses are inefficient, primarily infants under 1 year old and people over 55…People with cancer also are at risk for serious infections from this bacterium…But in pregnant women, the results of a Listeria infection frequently are tragic, because the bacteria spread quickly to the placenta and attack the fetus, said Dr. Gerald Greene, an assistant professor of pediatrics at UC Irvine School of Medicine who specializes in childhood infections. The bacteria rage through the body of an unborn baby, which has no defenses, Green said. The infection attacks the liver, kidney, lungs and other internal organs of a fetus and kills up to half the babies who are infected before birth, he said….The mother, meanwhile, may never feel symptoms of the disease, or may have only mild, flu-like symptoms while the infection kills her baby, he said….” (Orange County Register, CA. “Bacterial villain can live almost anywhere — including people.” 6-15-1985, A3.)
June 20: “….health officials said…[Jalisco] cheese, contaminated with a bacteria known as Listeria monocytogenes and recalled a week ago, may be linked to two listeriosis deaths in Texas and as many as 39 more in California. All but seven of the California deaths have been reported in Riverside, Orange or Los Angeles counties….A package of the suspect cheese was found in the refrigerator of an 83-year-old woman who died early Wednesday in Fort Worth, Texas. And in Houston, city health department officials Wednesday blamed contaminated cheese for a stillbirth last month….
“Los Angeles County has reported 77 cases with 24 deaths; Orange County has reported 16 cases with seven deaths. Riverside County has reported one case and one cheese-linked death.” (Orange County Register, CA. “Cheese maker laying off 100 workers.” 6-20-1985, p. 3.)
June 22: “The normal pasteurization proves was disrupted at Jalisco Mexican Products Inc. when raw milk contaminated pasteurized milk, officials….To comply with the state’s minimum standards for pasteurization, cheese makers hear raw cow’s milk to 161 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 15 seconds. The raw milk, held in a storage tank, is pumped twice through a regenerative heat exchanger, the core of the pasteurization system. It first enters the exchanger as cold, raw milk but exits heated but still raw. Before being pumped through the second time, the milk is heated to at least 161 degrees Fahrenheit. The pasteurized milk then enters the heat exchanger and is cooled down by incoming raw milk.
“Inside the heat exchanger, the raw and pasteurized milk are separated by a stainless steel plate less than one-sixteenth of an inch thick.. The equipment is designed so the pressure is higher on the side of the plate holding the pasteurized milk than on the side containing the raw milk, said Walter Dunkley, a professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology at UC Davis. If a leak develops, the flow will be from the pasteurized side to the raw milk side, instead of the other way around. He said that there are safeguards to ensure proper pressure is maintained.
“Normal wear and tear may cause the heat plates to spring leaks, said Jan Wessell, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Food and Agriculture in Sacramento. Maintenance of the pasteurization equipment normally is the company’s responsibility, she said, and state inspectors are not required to check for leaks in pasteurization equipment.” (Orange County Register, CA. “Raw milk is pasteurized to kill disease-bearing bacteria.” 6-22-1985, A2.)
June 24: “Two state legislative committees have planned hearings this week on the recall of Jalisco brand cheese linked to a bacterial infection that has claimed 43 lives, several of them in Orange County. The Senate Toxics and Public Safety Committee had scheduled its hearing for today on the June 13 recall of cheese produced by Jalisco…the Assembly Agriculture Committee has scheduled a similar hearing for Friday.
“Meanwhile, health officials on Sunday continued their investigation into the cheese contamination they blame for at least 139 cases of listeriosis in California and four other states….Of those listeriosis cases, 16 have been in Orange County. Four of the Orange County deaths were stillborn infants and three were infants who died after birth….
“Officials with the state Department of Health Services on Friday announced they found pinhole leaks in the plant’s pasteurization equipment that could have caused raw milk to contaminate the final cheese products….
“More than 100 tons of cheese made by Jalisco Mexican Products Inc. has been destroyed, state health officials said, and the recall is nearly complete….” (Orange County Register (Anita Snow), CA. “Recall of tainted cheese gets scrutiny.” 6-24-1985, A3.)
June 25: “Los Angeles (UPI) — Another woman has died of listeriosis….Los Angeles County health officials Monday reported a new listeria bacteria infection death, but said they do not know if the 50-year-old Burbank woman had eaten the contaminated cheese. Health officials also reported five more cases of listeriosis, raising to 90 the number of people in Los Angeles County infected with the bacteria. There are 127 reported cases nationwide — which have produced 40 deaths — and officials say it is likely most of the victims contracted the infection by eating the cheese because listeriosis is rare…” (UPI. “40th death from tainted cheese.” Ukiah Daily Journal, CA, 6-25-1985, p. 3.)
June 26: “….a fetus spontaneously aborted in a 27-year-old Los Angeles woman…[adding] to the listeriosis outbreak too, raising total deaths to 48. Two deaths in San Joaquin and Ventura counties that earlier had been considered possible listeriosis deaths were confirmed Tuesday as caused by the bacteria….
“…[Jalisco] company records…indicate Jalisco has processed more raw milk than its pasteurization equipment possibly could handle, leading authorities to speculate that raw milk might have been slipped directly into the product in an attempt to raise cheese production. Tuesday, an official from a…cheese company told the Register that, in his industry, there is often ‘a battle between production people and sales people who sell more cheese than the company can make.’….” (Orange County Register, CA. “Cheese recall expands to second firm.” 6-26-1985, A3.)
June 27: “Los Angeles (AP) — As the number of deaths and stillbirths linked to a bacteria found in tainted cheese rose to 51, prosecutors announced a criminal probe of whether the manufacturer deliberately used unpasteurized milk. Three new listeriosis deaths and stillbirths were reported Wednesday [June 26] by Los Angeles County health spokeswoman Myrtha Woolley.
“An investigation over the weekend found the plant’s pasteurization equipment working properly and that unpasteurized milk could not have been introduced into the cheese inadvertently….” (AP. “Criminal probe in toxic cheese case.” Times-Standard, Eureka, CA, 6-27-1985, p. 6.)
June 30: “Los Angeles (UPI) — State auditors will examine records at six California cheese processing plants in an expanding investigation triggered by a deadly bacterial outbreak that has killed 50 people.
“Doctors in San Diego confirmed Friday the stillbirth of an infant whose mother had eaten trained cheese made by Jalisco Mexican Products Inc. bringing to at least 50 the number of deaths and stillbirths reported in the worst food-poisoning epidemic of the century. It was San Diego County’s second death associated with the outbreak of listeriosis a bacterial infection that can kill those with weak immune systems, such as infants, pregnant women and the elderly.
“Another infant’s death was also reported in Los Angeles County Friday, but the countywide death toll remained unchanged because an earlier death of a stillborn baby proved unrelated to the contamination….” (UPI. “Probe into cheese processing expands.” Ukiah Daily Journal, CA, 6-30-1985, p. 16.)
July 9: “Los Angeles (AP) — An outbreak of illness linked to germ-laden cheese made by Jalisco Mexican Products Inc. has caused two more deaths of newborn infants, the county Department of Health Services said Monday [July 8]. Myrtha Woolley, a spokeswoman for the health agency, said mothers of the infants both were Hispanics from East Lost Angeles. One was 19 and the other 34. One of the women had previously been listed as suffering from listeriosis…
“In addition, Ms. Woolley said two other cases of listeriosis illness were reported — one in the mother of an infant in East Los Angles and one in a 90-year-old woman in the San Gabriel Valley. This brings the number of listeriosis illnesses to 108 and deaths to 34 in Los Angeles County. In eight states including California, the number of illnesses exceeds 170 and deaths from listeriosis 57. Most of the illnesses have occurred among Hispanics…..” (AP. “More deaths linked to cheese.” Times-Standard, Eureka, CA, 7-9-1985, p. 3.)
July 10: “Sacramento — State health officials Tuesday ordered Cacique cheese removed from shelves because some of the bacteria that cause listeriosis were found in samples. Cheese dated through Aug. 17 and undated cheese should be removed from stores and not be eaten, state Health Director Kenneth Kizer said. Cacique cheese previously had been recalled voluntarily by the maker, Cacique Fine Foods of the City of Industry, because tests indicated some of the cheese had not been pasteurized….
“On Tuesday, the number of deaths and stillbirths in the case reached 58 with the death of an 89-year-old San Gabriel Valley woman….” (Orange County Register, CA. “Cacique cheese ordered removed from shelves.” 7-10-1985, p. 1.)
July 11: “The recent listeriosis outbreak that has claimed at least 61 lives in fact may be two separate outbreaks caused by different strains of the same bacterium, health authorities said Wednesday [July 10]. The finding, revealed in a report to Los Angeles County supervisors from the county’s health department, came on the heels of the recall of a new brand of Mexican-style cheese, and prompted speculation that products other than Jalisco brand cheese may be implicated in the listeriosis deaths.
“But health officials said they had no clear-cut evidence linking the outbreak to the recently recalled Cacique brand cheese, other than the recent federal Food and Drug Administration tests that turned up Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in one Cacique sample.
“Dr. Shirley Fannin, associated director of communicable disease control for the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, said at least 18 of the county’s 109 listeriosis cases and at least a half-dozen of its 36 deaths appear to have been caused by Type 1B Listeria monocytogenes — a different strain of Listeria bacteria than the Type 4b strain found in tainted Jalisco cheese. The new strain, she said, was uncovered Friday after staffers at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center noticed that they had logged 10 cases of Type 1b listeriosis since the end of May, far in excess of the usual incidence. Eight more cases at other Los Angeles-area hospitals were traced to the Type 1b strain….” (Orange County Register, CA. “Second source of listeriosis feared.” 7-11-1985, A3.)
July 12: “The small outbreak of listeriosis uncovered this week probably was not caused by Cacique cheeses but may be linked — like other cases in the broader outbreak — to Jalisco Mexican Products Inc., health authorities said Thursday [July 11]. The determination by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services came as the last of the recalled Cacique products were pulled from local restaurants and grocery shelves and as the federal Food and Drug Administration expanded the Cacique recall nationwide. Dr. Shirley Fannin, associate director of communicable disease control for the health department, said interviews with the 12 survivors of the 18-case ‘mini-outbreak’ indicated Thursday that Cacique cheese was not the source of the Type 1b Listeria monocytogenes that sent the illness surging through their systems recently. A significant number of them, however, said they had eaten Jalisco cheese, which as been linked to the broader outbreak since June….” (Orange County Register, CA. “Cacique not blamed for listeriosis cases.” 7-12-1985, A3.)
July 14: “Los Angeles, July 13–Officials investigating an outbreak of listeriosis, a bacterial infection blamed for 62 deaths and stillbirths since April, said today that they were convinced the contamination had been caused by unpasteurized milk used by a single cheese manufacturer.
“Ira Reiner, the Los Angeles County District Attorney, has asserted that records of the manufacturer, Jalisco Mexican Products Inc., indicate the company could not have pasteurized all the milk it had purchased, and he has accused the company of knowingly processing untreated milk along with pasteurized milk. A lawyer for Jalisco has denied any improprieties.
“The infection is caused by a bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes, that often infects cattle. In pasteurization, raw milk is heated to kill this and other microorganisms.
“Last month, in announcing they had found a widespread outbreak of the infection, county health officials said that in a month of epidemiological detective work they had traced its source to two kinds of Mexican-style cheese made by Jalisco at a plant in suburban Artesia. They reported that the Listeria bacteria had been found in samples of Jalisco cheese that investigators had found at retail stores and that many, if not all, of those who had become ill from the infection had had access to the products.
“Most of the deaths, and about 150 cases of illness, occurred in southern California’s large Mexican-American community, health officials said.
“The investigation of the listeriosis outbreak appeared to have been thrown into confusion early this week when health officials had reported finding traces of the bacteria in a second brand of Mexican-type cheese, made here by the Cacique Cheese Company. The discovery prompted the Federal Food and Drug Administration to order a nationwide recall of the company’s dairy products. The follow-up tests also found that not all the 62 people had died from the same strain of the Listeria bacteria. Some had died from a strain that had not been detected in the analysis of the Jalisco products.
“Despite the twists, Dr. Shirley Fannin, associate director of communicable disease control for Los Angeles County, said in an interview Friday that epidemiologists were sticking to their conclusion that the Jalisco cheese was responsible for all the reported deaths and illnesses….
“The Listeria bacteria, which is carried in the blood, has an unusual capability to overwhelm the immune system of some people, especially pregnant women, where it infects the placenta, which envelops the fetus and provides it nutrients….” (NYT/Robert Lindsey. “62 Deaths From Cheese Traced to Single Source.” 7-14-1985.)
July 16: “Los Angeles (AP) — Authorities have begun searching for a food vendor who sole Jalisco cheese well after the brand was recalled due to contamination by a bacteria which causes an illness linked to 64 deaths and stillbirths.
“The toll rose by two Monday with the inclusion of two recent stillbirths, and one of the mothers told inspectors she bought Jalisco cheese from a food vendor who parked his truck in her south-central Los Angeles neighborhood June 25. Cheese made by Jalisco Mexican Products Co. was recalled June 13….
“Listeriosis deaths have occurred in California and six other states but not all have been linked to tainted Mexican-style cheese…..” (AP. “Vendor who sold cheese after recall being sought.” Times-Standard, Eureka, CA. 7-16-1985, p. 8.)
July 18: “Los Angeles — The mystery over a new strain of a bacteria linked to 75 recent deaths and stillbirths was solved when officials discovered it never existed — a hospital lab misdiagnosed a bacteria contamination….
“Health experts had been dealing with Type 4B of the bacteria, which causes the flu-like illness, listeriosis. Type 4B, which was found last month in Mexican-style cheese manufactured by Jalisco Mexican Products Inc. of Artesia, has been linked to 75 deaths or still births in three states….” (AP. “No new strain of bacteria, just a lab error.” Orange County Register, CA. 7-18-1985, A3.)
July 20: “Los Angeles — County health officials on Friday [July 19] linked two more stillbirths to listeriosis as a doctor warned that an outbreak of the bacterial disease would continue. The new cases bring the Los Angeles County total to 41 deaths and still births since the outbreak began in April, said Myrtha Woolley, spokeswoman for the Health Services Department. Nationally, there have been at least 84 deaths and stillbirths, and scores of other people hve become ill from the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, which was found in soft, Mexican-style cheese made by Jalisco Mexican Products Inc.. Woolley said one victim was a Hispanic infant whose 27-year-old mother lives in East Los Angeles. The other was a non-Hispanic whose mother is 26 and a San Gabriel Valley resident.” (Orange County Register, CA. “2 more stillbirths tied to Listeria, LA officials say.” 7-20-1985, A3.)
July 24: “….Mexican-style cheeses…have been linked to a recent bacterial listeriosis outbreak that has killed 85 people nationwide, 81 of them in California….on Tuesday [July 23] Los Angeles County health officials reported their 128th case of listeriosis this year, and the sixth new illness this week, one of them a stillborn….” (Orange County Register, CA. “Agency shuts down 3rd cheese plant.” 7-24-1985, A3.)
Aug 13: “Los Angeles (UPI) — An epidemic of food poisoning caused by tainted Mexican-style cheese and blamed for about 95 deaths nationwide has been declared at an end because no new cans have been found in more than two weeks, health officials said. Dr. Shirley Fannin, head of the Los Angeles County communicable disease control division, said Monday [Aug 12] the outbreak was declared over because no new cases involving people who ate suspect cheese had been reported for 15 days — which is longer than the incubation period of the illness.
“The outbreak is believed to be the deadliest of its kind this century and resulted in 95 known deaths and hundreds of illnesses — mostly in California and Texas. About half the deaths occurred in Los Angeles County, site of the plant that made the suspect cheese….” (UPI. “Tainted cheese epidemic over.” Ukiah Daily Journal, CA, 8-13-1985, p. 12.)
Aug 14: “Associated Press. Los Angeles — A listeriosis outbreak that claimed 85 lives statewide has been declared over by health officials but many unanswered questions remain, including what caused it…. One person is unconvinced the outbreak is over. County Supervisor Pete Schabarum said Tuesday that it has not been determined how Jalisco cheese was contaminated….More than 250 listeriosis cases, including the 85 deaths, have been reported statewide since March. This year, there were 141 listeriosis cases in Los Angeles County, 43 of which resulted in death. Twenty-seven of the deaths were stillbirths or infants, and all were caused by tainted cheese. Investigators are studying the cause of the remaining 16 listeriosis deaths, said Dr. Shirley Fannin, associated director of the health service department….” (AP. “Questions about listeriosis linger.” Orange County Register, CA. 8-14-1985, B7.)
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Associated Press. “Lawsuits filed against Jalisco.” Times-Standard, Eureka, CA. 7-31-1985, p. 8. Accessed 11-9-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/eureka-times-standard-jul-31-1985-p-8/
Associated Press. “More deaths linked to cheese.” Times-Standard, Eureka, CA, 7-9-1985, p. 3. Accessed 11-9-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/eureka-times-standard-jul-09-1985-p-3/
Associated Press. “More suites to hit cheese company. Times-Standard, Eureka, CA. 8-1-1985, p. 6. Accessed 11-9-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/eureka-times-standard-aug-01-1985-p-6/
Associated Press. “No new strain of bacteria, just a lab error.” Orange County Register, CA. 7-18-1985, A3. Accessed 11-9-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/santa-ana-orange-county-register-jul-18-1985-p-3/
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Associated Press. “Vendor who sold cheese after recall being sought.” Times-Standard, Eureka, CA. 7-16-1985, 8. Accessed 11-9-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/eureka-times-standard-jul-16-1985-p-8/
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Neuman, William. “Deaths From Cantaloupe Listeria Rise.” New York Times, 9-27-2011. Accessed 11-8-2017 at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/28/business/deaths-from-cantaloupe-listeria-rises.html?src=me&ref=general
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Orange County Register, CA. “2 more stillbirths tied to Listeria, LA officials say.” 7-20-1985, A3. Accessed 11-9-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/santa-ana-orange-county-register-jul-20-1985-p-3/
Orange County Register, CA. “Agency shuts down 3rd cheese plant.” 7-24-1985, A3. Accessed 11-9-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/santa-ana-orange-county-register-jul-24-1985-p-3/
Orange County Register (Cheryl Katz and Don Skinner), CA. “Bacterial villain can live almost anywhere — including people.” 6-15-1985, A3. Accessed 11-8-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/santa-ana-orange-county-register-jun-15-1985-p-3/
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Orange County Register (Shawn Hubler), CA. “Cheese recall expands to second firm.” 6-26-1985, A3. Accessed 11-8-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/santa-ana-orange-county-register-jun-26-1985-p-3/
Orange County Register, CA. “Cacique cheese ordered removed from shelves.” 7-10-1985, p. 1. Accessed 11-9-2017 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/santa-ana-orange-county-register-jul-10-1985-p-30/
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[1] We seek, herein, to isolate deaths from listeria tainted/contaminated cheese from the Los Angeles County Jalisco company. The figure of 85 deaths refers to California deaths and stillbirths and miscarriages. The figure of 95 refers to deaths outside California, mostly in Texas, but is several other states as well.
[2] All tainted-cheese-linked deaths, not just California.
[3] Notes announcement on July 31 by LA County Dept. of Health Services of the death of a fetus, bring total to 86, “most of them in the Los Angeles area.
[4] Associated Press. “Lawsuits filed against Jalisco.” Times-Standard, Eureka, CA, 7-31-1985, p. 8.
[5] “Nationally, there have been at least 84 deaths and stillbirths, and scores…ill from…Listeria…”
[6] Deaths and stillbirths in three states.
[7] Deaths and stillbirths.
[8] Deaths and stillbirths.
[9] “The death of a 34-year-old Hispanic Woman’s fetus brings the death toll in the outbreak to 62.”
[10] Deaths and stillbirths, “with the death of an 89-year-old San Gabriel Valley woman” the latest victim.
[11] “In eight states including California, the number of illnesses exceeds 170 and deaths from listeriosis 57.
[12] “The deadliest outbreak in the United States [of listeria] since then [early 1970s], occurred in 1985 when a wave of listeria illness, linked to Mexican-style fresh cheese, swept through California. A federal database [?] says 52 deaths were attributed to the outbreak, but news reports at the time put the number as high as 84.”
[13] Deaths and stillbirths.
[14] Deaths and stillbirths.
[15] “Two state legislative committees have planned hearings this week on the recall of Jalisco brand cheese linked to a bacterial infection that has claimed 43 lives, several of them in Orange County.”
[16] I suspect two different types of listeria deaths are captured here. Listeria is an on-going cause of deaths, though rare. The event we are seeking to isolate is one particular outbreak related to soft cheese from Mexico using contaminated raw (unpasteurized) milk. We are not trying to capture/report on “background” listeria deaths. In addition about half of the deaths were fetus deaths (stillbirths and miscarriages); the CDC figures concern only deaths after birth and later age groups.
[17] “Besides the 30 confirmed deaths in Los Angeles and Orange counties, authorities also probed for a link to the cheeses to two infant deaths in Riverside County and one each in San Diego and Santa Clara counties. Contra Costa County health inspectors said they were looking for a link to Jalisco cheese in the May 8 death of 3-day-old infant whose body contained the same Listeria bacteria found in others who have died in the outbreak.”
[18] “The illness has killed 29 people since April, most of them women and children and all in Orange and Los Angeles counties.”
[19] We derive 22 from note that there had been 29 deaths in Orange and Los Angeles counties, with seven in Orange.
[20] “At least 15 cases of the flulike disease, seven of them fatal, have been reported in Orange County. All the Orange County deaths were of infants who were stillborn or died within two days of birth.”
[21] A problem with these figures is that there are not all necessarily tied to the Jalisco Cheese contamination outbreak.
[22] City in southeast Los Angeles County.
[23] Dr. Shirley Fannin, associate director of communicable disease control, Los Angeles County.