Soft cheese linked to listeria death in Ohio

According to the CDC, almost two-thirds of those who became ill are of Middle Eastern or Eastern European descent or shopped at Middle Eastern-style markets.

Dr. Brendan Jackson, a medical epidemiologist at CDC, said the agency used a technique called whole genome sequencing to match the newer illnesses to others several years back.

Karoun Dairies said in a release that none of its products have so far tested positive for listeria, but the company issued the recall after the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration informed it of a link to the illnesses.

Listeria primarily affects the elderly, people with compromised immune systems, and pregnant women and newborn infants.