Several people have died in connection with a listeria outbreak linked to deli meats.
The CDC reported six new deaths in an August 28 update, bringing the total death toll to nine. The update also lists 14 more diseases since the last update on August 8.
A total of 57 new reported cases of listeria were in 18 states: Arizona, New Mexico, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Montana, Indiana, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts. The actual number of people sickened is likely higher and other states could be affected, as the CDC noted that not everyone would seek medical attention.
All 57 people were hospitalized, including one pregnant woman, who recovered. The CDC interviewed 44 affected individuals and they reported that they had “eaten various meats cut from the deli counter.” Some of these people reported eating the Boar’s Head brand.
Boar’s Head, a national deli purveyor based in Virginia, has expanded its initial July 26 recall to more than 71 meats, including several deli meats, bologna and “Cappy Style” ham.
Boar’s head liver pack.
USDA
The larger recall, announced on July 30, covers meat produced between May 10 and July 29. The recalled meat and poultry products (totaling more than 3,500 tons) have sell-by dates ranging from July 29 to October 17, 2024. A full list of affected products can be found here, and more information is available on the USDA website.
The outbreak was originally linked to boar’s head products after the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) identified listeria in a liver sample from a Baltimore-area store. The agency later confirmed that the listeria found in the product matched the strain that caused the outbreak.
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An official statement from Boar’s Head urges people who purchased the recalled items to discard the product or return it to the store for a refund. The recalled products have been removed from stores.
The CDC also issued a warning on August 28: “Listeria is a resistant germ that can remain on surfaces, such as meat slicers and food, even at refrigerated temperatures. It can also take up to 10 weeks for some people to develop symptoms listeriosis.”
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Symptoms usually include fever and flu-like reactions, such as muscle aches and fatigue, according to the CDC. Young children and the elderly are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill if they become infected with listeria, as are immunocompromised people and pregnant women.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education