CHICAGO (August 29, 2024) – Nine deaths have now been linked to a listeria outbreak associated with Boar’s Head deli meat products. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is the largest listeria outbreak in the nation since 2011.
There have been 57 cases total, and all of those infected have been hospitalized. The 18 states infected are Arizona, New Mexico, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts, NPR reported.
The death toll now includes two deaths in South Carolina and one death in Florida, New Mexico, Tennessee and New York, WSB-TV reports. The CDC previously reported three deaths in Illinois, New Jersey and Virginia.
In late July, Boar’s Head recalled more than 7.2 million pounds of ready-to-eat liverwurst and other deli meat products over concerns of listeria contamination. Recently, the CDC has reported at least a dozen new cases of listeriosis linked to the recall, reported CNN. The recall includes liverwurst, ham, bologna, sausage, and roasted bacon. Most reported cases involved consuming turkey or liverwurst, with some also linked to ham. The full list is recalled products can be found here.
The agency has indicated that the actual number of illnesses may be higher than reported, as some individuals with milder cases may not have been tested for listeria. Additionally, there is often a delay between when an illness occurs and when it is linked to an ongoing investigation.
The timeline of this outbreak stretches over several months, the CDC said, as the first person got sick at the end of May. The investigation is ongoing.
What To Do
The CDC recommends that consumers inspect their kitchens for any recalled products, as they can remain viable for a long time. Check for “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” within the USDA mark of inspection on labels. Some of these products have sell-by dates extending into October 2024.
Listeria bacteria is hardy and can stay on surfaces like countertops and meat slicers, so you don’t even have to eat a contaminated product to get sick. It can spread easily at delis, the CDC says, transferring from equipment to surfaces to hands and food. Refrigeration does not kill the bacteria, but heat can.
People who are pregnant, those who are 65 and older, and those with weakened immune systems are advised to avoid eating any deli meat unless it’s been heated until it steams or reaches an internal temperature of 165 F.
If you’ve had sliced deli meat at home, clean the refrigerator and any containers or surfaces that may have come into contact with it, and watch out for symptoms of listeriosis, which can take up to 10 weeks to develop. Listeria bacteria causes listeriosis, the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States.
Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches and fatigue. An infection can also cause a stiff neck, a headache, confusion or seizures.
Anyone who develops symptoms of listeriosis should get medical care right away.
