The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday that a listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head deli meat products has so far led to nine deaths and hospitalized 57 people in 18 states. It is now the most widespread listeria outbreak in the United States in more than a decade.
Boar’s Head recalled more than 7 million pounds of product processed at its Jarratt, VA, facility last month because a sample of liverwurst tested positive for the bacteria. Between May and mid-July, the outbreak was linked to 34 people in 13 states who became ill, including 33 hospitalizations and two deaths.
Accordingly New York TimesThere have been six new deaths in the past three weeks, with fatal cases originating in Florida, Tennessee, New York, New Mexico and South Carolina. However, the CDC said the true number of cases may be higher than reported because some people may have had milder cases and may not have been tested for listeria. It can also take up to 10 weeks for patients to experience symptoms, which may have affected the number of cases.
The recall covers 71 ready-to-eat products, including liverwurst, ham, beef jerky and frankfurters, manufactured under both the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names between May 10 and July 29, primarily affecting products sliced at the deli counter. Consumers are advised to check all Boar’s Head products for “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA inspection mark on product labels. Contaminated products may also have a sell-by date of October 2024.
Listeria infections can cause flu-like symptoms, such as fever, muscle aches, stiff neck, headache, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. Diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms are other possible symptoms. Pregnant women, people age 65 and older, or those with weakened immune systems may also be at risk for serious infection.
The last major listeria outbreak occurred in 2011, when at least 13 people died in eight states after eating contaminated cantaloupes grown by a Colorado company.