Listeriosis epidemiology and demographics

Incidence
About 1,600 cases annually in the United States.

Trends
Compared to 1996-1998, the incidence of listeriosis had declined by about 38% by 2003. However, illnesses and deaths continue to occur. On average from 1998-2008, 2.4 outbreaks per year were reported to CDC. Before 2011, the largest outbreak occurred in 2002, when 54 illnesses, 8 deaths, and 3 fetal deaths in 9 states were found to be associated with consumption of contaminated turkey deli meat.

Epidemiology
Incidence is 4.4 cases per million population. Pregnant women account for 30% of all cases. Of all nonperinatal infections, 70% occur in immunocompromised patients.

Resources
CDC Listeriosis Statistics