A US federal government agency on Wednesday announced that at least nine people have died from listeria infections linked to Boar’s Head deli meats, which were recalled last month.
The fatalities include two in South Carolina and one each in Florida, New Mexico, Tennessee, and New York, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Three additional deaths were previously reported in Illinois, New Jersey, and Virginia.
The outbreak has sickened at least 57 people, with illnesses reported from late May to August. The largest listeria outbreak in the US since 2011 led Boar’s Head to recall more than 7 million pounds of deli products.
Outbreak history
The issue was identified when a Boar’s Head liverwurst sample collected by health officials in Maryland tested positive for listeria. Subsequent testing confirmed that this strain of bacteria was responsible for the illnesses reported.
Product removal
Boar’s Head has removed all recalled products from stores, which were distributed nationwide and to international locations including the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama. The initial recall of liverwurst and other deli products was expanded on July 29 to include all items produced at the Jarratt, Virginia plant, affecting sliced deli meats and prepackaged items such as sausages and bacon.
CDC’s advisory
The CDC has advised consumers to check their refrigerators for recalled items, identified by EST. 12612 or P-12612 on labels. Affected products should be discarded, and refrigerators and surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, according to CDC advisory.
Listeria bacteria symptoms and risks
Listeria, a bacteria that can survive and even thrive in refrigeration, affects an estimated 1,600 people in the US each year, with about 260 fatalities. Symptoms can appear quickly or up to 10 weeks after consuming contaminated food. The infection poses significant risks to older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
88-year-old dies from listeria infection
In Virginia, 88-year-old Gunter “Garshon” Morgenstein died on July 18 from a brain infection caused by listeria linked to the contaminated Boar’s Head products, according to an AP report. A Holocaust survivor and renowned hair stylist, Morgenstein had regularly purchased Boar’s Head liverwurst, believing it to be high quality. After falling ill in early July and being hospitalized, his condition deteriorated, leading to his death after family members withdrew life support. A review of his receipts confirmed he had bought the recalled product.
The fatalities include two in South Carolina and one each in Florida, New Mexico, Tennessee, and New York, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Three additional deaths were previously reported in Illinois, New Jersey, and Virginia.
The outbreak has sickened at least 57 people, with illnesses reported from late May to August. The largest listeria outbreak in the US since 2011 led Boar’s Head to recall more than 7 million pounds of deli products.
Outbreak history
The issue was identified when a Boar’s Head liverwurst sample collected by health officials in Maryland tested positive for listeria. Subsequent testing confirmed that this strain of bacteria was responsible for the illnesses reported.
Product removal
Boar’s Head has removed all recalled products from stores, which were distributed nationwide and to international locations including the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama. The initial recall of liverwurst and other deli products was expanded on July 29 to include all items produced at the Jarratt, Virginia plant, affecting sliced deli meats and prepackaged items such as sausages and bacon.
CDC’s advisory
The CDC has advised consumers to check their refrigerators for recalled items, identified by EST. 12612 or P-12612 on labels. Affected products should be discarded, and refrigerators and surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, according to CDC advisory.
Listeria bacteria symptoms and risks
Listeria, a bacteria that can survive and even thrive in refrigeration, affects an estimated 1,600 people in the US each year, with about 260 fatalities. Symptoms can appear quickly or up to 10 weeks after consuming contaminated food. The infection poses significant risks to older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
88-year-old dies from listeria infection
In Virginia, 88-year-old Gunter “Garshon” Morgenstein died on July 18 from a brain infection caused by listeria linked to the contaminated Boar’s Head products, according to an AP report. A Holocaust survivor and renowned hair stylist, Morgenstein had regularly purchased Boar’s Head liverwurst, believing it to be high quality. After falling ill in early July and being hospitalized, his condition deteriorated, leading to his death after family members withdrew life support. A review of his receipts confirmed he had bought the recalled product.