CDC reports another 14 illnesses and 5 deaths in Listeria outbreak linked to processed meats

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported new cases and deaths linked to the ongoing Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats. Since the last update on August 8, 2024, an additional 14 people have become ill and five additional deaths have been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases to 57 in 18 states.

This outbreak has proven to be particularly serious, with all 57 confirmed patients requiring hospitalisation. A total of eight people have died, including recent deaths in Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico and South Carolina. Public health officials emphasize that the actual number of cases may be higher because not all people who become ill seek medical care or are tested for Listeria.

Source of the outbreak

Epidemiological, laboratory and traceback data have shown that meat cut in delis is the main source of the outbreak.

Outbreak investigators in two states have found Listeria in Boar’s Head meats. The Maryland Department of Health and Baltimore City Health Department collected an unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst product from a store and identified Listeria monocytogenes. The New York State Food Laboratory also identified Listeria monocytogenes from a sample of unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst products collected by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Food Safety and Inspection from retail stores. Whole genome sequencing showed that both were the same strain that made people sick during this outbreak.

Of the 44 people interviewed by public health officials, 41 reported consuming processed meats, and 39 of them had eaten sliced ​​meats at a deli. Notably, 25 of the 41 people asked specifically about liverwurst confirmed that they had eaten sliced ​​liverwurst before becoming ill, with 19 mentioning the Boar’s Head brand.

The CDC and state health departments are continuing their investigation and are working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) to identify and recall affected products. Boar’s Head has already recalled more than 7 million pounds of processed meats due to the outbreak. These products, which include liverwurst and possibly other meats, have a shelf life that runs until October 2024, raising concerns that contaminated products may still be in consumers’ homes.

The recalled products have a shelf life of 44 days and were not produced until July 17. There are concerns that consumers may have recalled processed meats in their homes. The recalled products can be identified by certain codes on the USDA inspection mark, such as “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” on product labels.

Cooling and freezing do not kill Listeria bacteria. The bacteria can remain viable for extended periods and spread easily on deli equipment, surfaces, hands and food. This resilience, combined with the long incubation period of up to ten weeks, complicates efforts to contain the outbreak.

The CDC advises anyone with recalled products to immediately throw them away and thoroughly clean all surfaces, containers and refrigerators that may have come into contact with the meat.

You can view a list of recall items here.

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell putrid, but it can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten recalled products and developed symptoms of a Listeria infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms in the coming weeks, as symptoms of listeriosis can develop up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria.

Symptoms of a Listeria infection may include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headaches, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are needed to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other diseases.

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children and people such as cancer patients with weakened immune systems are at particular risk of serious illness, life-threatening infections, other complications and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to preterm labor, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)