A third death has been reported in a massive listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head deli meats.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the latest death was reported in Virginia. Two other deaths were reported, including one in Illinois and one in New Jersey.
As of August 8, a total of 43 people infected with the outbreak strain of listeria have been reported from 13 states, including: New York (14 cases), Maryland (8 cases), New Jersey (4 cases), Massachusetts (3 cases), Missouri (3 cases), Virginia (3 cases), Georgia (2 cases), Illinois (1 case), Indiana (1 case), Minnesota (1 case), North Carolina (1 case), Pennsylvania (1 case), and Wisconsin (1 case).
Last month, Boar's Head announced a recall of more than 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, including meat intended for slicing at retail delis as well as some packaged items. The recall includes more than 80 products produced between May 10, 2024 and July 29, 2024 under the Boar's Head and Old Country brand names, with "sell by" dates ranging from 29-JUL-24 through 17-OCT-24.
The CDC said epidemiologic, laboratory and traceback data show that meats sliced at delis, including Boar's Head brand liverwurst, are contaminated with listeria and are making people sick.
"We deeply regret that our liverwurst products were found to be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for the families that have suffered losses and others who endured illness," Boar's Head said in a statement . "The health and well-being of our consumers are paramount."
Of the 43 people infected with the outbreak strain of listeria, all 43 have been hospitalized, according to the CDC. One person got sick during their pregnancy and remained pregnant after recovering.
Sick people range in age from 32 to 94 years.
Of 34 patients able to be interviewed, the CDC said 32 (94%) reported eating deli meats. Thirty of the 32 (94%) has meats sliced at a deli counter, while two couldn't remember. Of the 33 people who answered if they ate liverwurst, 18 (55%) reported deli-sliced liverwurst before getting sick, and 13 reported Boar's Head brand. Whole genome sequencing results show that a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes.
The CDC noted that the true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and that the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for listeria. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
Listeria can cause severe illness when the bacteria spreads beyond the gut to other parts of the body. Almost all severe illnesses from listeria result in hospitalizations and sometimes death, according to the CDC.
Symptoms -- including high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea -- usually start within two weeks after eating food contaminated with listeria, but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after.
Most people infected with listeria usually get mild food poisoning symptoms and recover without treatment.
You are at higher risk for severe listeria illness if you are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system. Pregnant women usually experience only fever, fatigue and muscle aches. However, listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns.
The CDC always recommends people at higher risk for listeriosis avoid eating meats sliced at the deli or heat them to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot before eating.
Anyone concerned about illness should contact a healthcare provider.
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