Listeria death in Tennessee reported amid outbreak linked to deli meats

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — One person in Tennessee has died amid America’s largest listeria outbreak since 2011 , the Centers for Disease Control announced.

The CDC on Wednesday reported five new deaths in the outbreak linked to recalled deli meats . The newly reported deaths include one from Tennessee, one from New Mexico, one from Florida, and two from South Carolina.

A total of eight deaths and 57 cases have been reported in 18 states. All 57 people have been hospitalized. It’s the largest listeria outbreak in the U.S. since 33 deaths and 147 confirmed cases caused by contaminated cantaloupe in 2011.

Over 200,000 pounds of Boar’s Head Deli products were recalled in late July. Click here for information on the list of recalled products.

The CDC wrote that of the 44 people interviewed by state and local public health officials, 41 reported eating deli meats before they got sick and 39 of those people reported eating meats sliced at a deli.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms, according to the USDA.

The true number of sick people in the outbreak is likely higher than the number reported as some people recover without medical care and are not tested for listeria. It usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak and it can take as many as 10 weeks for some people to have symptoms of listeriosis.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.