Boar’s Head Deli Meats Recalled After Listeria Outbreak: 43 Infected Across 13 States

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Written By Blue & Gold NLR Team

 

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a new listeria-related death in Virginia, with two other deaths in Illinois and New Jersey.

As of August 8, 43 people across 13 states have been infected with the outbreak strain of listeria. The affected states are: 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 recalled over 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat meats and poultry. This recall includes products from May 10, 2024, to July 29, 2024, under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brands, with sell-by dates from July 29, 2024, to October 17, 2024.

The CDC found that listeria contamination was linked to deli meats, including Boar’s Head liverwurst. Boar’s Head expressed deep regret and sympathy for those affected, emphasizing their commitment to consumer health.

All 43 people infected have been hospitalized. Of these, one was pregnant and stayed pregnant after recovery. The ages of the sick range from 32 to 94 years.

Of the 34 patients interviewed, 32 reported eating deli meats. 30 of them had meats sliced at a deli, and 18 of 33 who answered about liverwurst had eaten deli-sliced liverwurst, with 13 specifically having Boar’s Head brand. Testing confirmed the outbreak strain of listeria in a liverwurst sample from Maryland.

The CDC believes the actual number of cases might be higher, as some people recover without medical help or are not tested. Illnesses might not be reported immediately due to the time it takes to confirm outbreaks.

Listeria can cause serious illness if it spreads beyond the gut. Symptoms, including fever, headache, nausea, and abdominal pain, usually appear within two weeks of eating contaminated food, but can start up to 10 weeks later.

People most at risk are pregnant women, those aged 65 or older, or those with weakened immune systems. Pregnant women may only have mild symptoms but are at risk of miscarriage or premature birth. Newborns can also be severely affected.

The CDC advises high-risk individuals to avoid deli meats or to heat them to 165°F before eating.

 

 

 

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