Recall expanded in multi-state listeria contamination that sickened dozens, including in Wisconsin

Wausau Pilot & Review

Boar’s Head Provisions, Co. is recalling an additional roughly seven million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products amid a listeria outbreak that left two people dead and dozens hospitalized in states including Wisconsin.

The company initiated a recall on July 26 that could be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, or FSIS. Now, the company is adding more products after whole genome sequencing showed that a liverwurst sample tested positive for the outbreak strain.

This expansion includes 71 products produced between May 10, 2024, and July 29, 2024, under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names. These items include meat intended for slicing at retail delis as well as some packaged meat and poultry products sold at retail locations. These products have “sell by” dates ranging from 29-JUL-2024 through 17-OCT-24. View full product list. View labels.

Anyone concerned about illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state public health partners to investigate the multistate outbreak of L. monocytogenes infections linked to meats sliced at delis.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

What to know about listeriosis, from the Cleveland Clinic:

What is listeriosis?

Listeriosis is a foodborne illness. The germ Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis. Listeria monocytogenes is commonly found in nature, especially in soil, groundwater, rotting vegetation and animal feces (poop).

Most people get listeriosis from eating contaminated foods. The listeriosis incubation period (the time when you first get infected and when you first show symptoms) varies. It usually takes one to two weeks, but it can be as short as a couple of days or as long as three months.

Other names for listeriosis include L. monocytogenes and listeria.

In what foods is listeria found?

Contaminated foods are the most common cause of listeriosis infections. The most common foods that cause listeriosis include:

• Hot dogs.
• Deli meats.
• Fresh vegetables.
• Fresh fruits, especially melons.
• Unpasteurized dairy products (sterilized to kill bacteria).

These foods have the highest risk of L. monocytogenes contamination. However, listeriosis can affect almost any improperly handled or prepared food.

The bacteria L. monocytogenes is unique from many other foodborne illnesses. It survives and even multiplies in low temperatures, including refrigerators and freezers. The bacteria can multiply to dangerous levels during storage.

Food that has spoiled breaks down and develops an unpleasant smell, taste or change in texture. When L. monocytogenes bacteria contaminate food, the smell, taste and texture don’t change.

Who does listeriosis affect?

Anyone can get listeriosis. However, it isn’t as dangerous for those with a healthy immune system. Those who are at the greatest risk of becoming very ill or dying include:

• Pregnant people.
• Developing fetuses.
• People 65 or older.
• People with a weakened immune system, usually from another condition (like AIDS or cancer) or taking prescribed immunosuppressive medications.

How common is listeria?

About 1,600 people get listeria in the United States each year.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of listeriosis?

Listeriosis symptoms include:

• Fever.
• Chills.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach.
• Diarrhea.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Muscle aches.
• Confusion.
• Loss of balance.
• Convulsions (muscle contractions that you can’t control).

A severe listeriosis infection may spread to your bloodstream or brain. Severe infections may cause sepsis, meningitis or encephalitis.

What are the symptoms of listeriosis in pregnant people?

The most common symptoms of listeriosis in pregnant people are usually fever and other flu-like symptoms, especially fatigue and muscle aches.

Listeriosis may quickly cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and death in newborn babies without timely treatment.

What are the symptoms of listeriosis in newborn babies?

Listeriosis symptoms in newborn babies include:

• Fever.
• Vomiting.
• Constant crying.
• Trouble breathing (rapid breathing, short breaths and wheezing).
• No interest in eating.

How do you get listeriosis?

Most people contract listeriosis from contaminated food.

Pregnant people can transmit the L. monocytogenes bacteria to the fetus through the placenta. They can also transmit the bacteria to their babies in the birth canal.

Is listeriosis contagious?

You can’t pass listeriosis to another person unless a pregnant person passes it to the fetus.

Diagnosis and Tests

How do you know if you have listeriosis?

Your healthcare provider can diagnose listeriosis after evaluating your symptoms and conducting medical tests. Tests may include checking the following for the presence of L. monocytogenes:

• Blood.
• Cerebrospinal fluid (a clear fluid in your brain and spinal cord).
• Meconium (your baby’s first poop; it’s dark green and thicker and stickier than normal poop).
• Vomit.
• Food.
• Animal feed.

Your healthcare provider may order bacterial culture tests on your blood or placenta if you’re pregnant.

Management and Treatment

Can listeriosis be cured?

Yes, there is a cure for listeriosis. Your healthcare provider can prescribe antibiotics to rid your body of the infection.

Your healthcare provider is more likely to prescribe antibiotics to babies or if you’re pregnant, 65 or older or have a weakened immune system. Antibiotics commonly used to treat listeriosis include sulfamethoxazole (Bacter-Aid DS®) and ampicillin (Principen®).

Your provider may also prescribe medication to manage specific symptoms, including nausea and vomiting.

If you have mild symptoms, you may not need treatment.

If your baby is born with a listeriosis infection, your healthcare provider will give them antibiotics shortly after birth.

What are the side effects of antibiotics?

Side effects of antibiotics may include:

• Allergic reactions. Allergic reactions may range from mild rashes and itching to skin blisters, swelling in your face and throat and difficulty breathing. Talk to your healthcare provider about any past drug reactions or allergies.
• Clostridioides difficile. Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile or C. diff) is a bacteria that causes diarrhea.
• Antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria change and get stronger so that antibiotic medicines can’t kill them or stop their growth. Bacterial infections then become difficult to treat with medications.

How do I manage my symptoms?

If you have listeriosis, the best way to manage your symptoms is to:

• Take prescription medications as directed by your healthcare provider.
• Rest.
• Drink lots of fluids.
• Eat a light diet.
• Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage fever and relieve muscle aches.

Not everyone can take NSAIDs. It’s a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before use.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

Most people with a healthy immune system will feel better after a few days without treatment.

If you have a severe listeriosis infection, you should start to feel better three to five days after you start taking antibiotics.

It’s important to take your full course of antibiotics as prescribed by your healthcare provider, even if you start to feel better. If you don’t finish your full course of antibiotics, your listeriosis may come back and be more challenging to treat.