Third person dies from Listeria after eating contaminated deli meats

A third individual has tragically passed away after being diagnosed with listeria linked to Boar's Head deli meats, according to federal food safety officials.

This death in Virginia follows fatalities in New Jersey and Illinois, while an additional nine cases of listeria have been confirmed since the end of July, as experts have shared symptoms and signs attached to the illness.

Reports indicate that cases have emerged in 13 different US states since the company recalled a whopping seven million pounds of meat.

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An initial recall was issued on July 25, which was then expanded five days later when listeria was detected in a liverwurst sample collected by health officials in Maryland.

Interestingly, a liverwurst sample tested in New York also contained the same strain of listeria, as revealed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this Thursday.

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The recall involves a staggering number of over 70 products - including ham, beef salami, bologna and liverwurst - all produced at the company's plant in Jarratt, Virginia.

New York has unfortunately seen the highest number of confirmed listeria cases, with 14 people falling ill, while Maryland has reported eight cases.

Other states impacted include: Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts , Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania , Virginia and Wisconsin.

Two lawsuits have been filed against Boar's Head - one in Missouri and the other a class action suit in a New York federal court.

The meat was distributed to stores across the US, the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Panama and Mexico.

Anyone in possession of the meat is advised to discard it or return it to the store from where it was purchased for a refund.

The CDC has warned: "Listeria is especially harmful to people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems."

The health body added: "CDC always recommends people at higher risk for listeriosis avoid eating meats sliced at the deli or heat them to an internal temperature of 165F or until steaming hot before eating."

It's also emphasized that Listeria bacteria can continue to thrive and multiply inside fridges, prompting advice for consumers to meticulously clean any areas the bacteria might have contacted.

According to figures from the CDC, approximately 1,600 cases of listeriosis occur annually in the United States, with about 260 people succumbing to the disease.

Signs of the illness typically involve fever and muscle aches, but symptoms like confusion or even seizures can manifest in more severe cases.

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