CDC: 34 Infected, 2 Dead in Listeria Outbreak Across 13 States

ATLANTA — An outbreak of listeria, linked to deli meats, has affected 13 states, including Georgia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC reports that 34 people have been infected with Listeria monocytogenes across these states, resulting in 33 hospitalizations and two deaths—one in New Jersey and one in Illinois.

The states affected and the number of people infected are as follows:

• 1 to 2 people: Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri
• 5 to 6 people: Maryland
• 11 to 12 people: New York

Interviews with sick individuals linked the outbreak to deli meats, with 23 out of 24 people reporting they ate meat sliced at deli counters. Thirteen mentioned eating sliced liverwurst, and seven of those said they ate the Boar’s Head brand.

An unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst product tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Ongoing tests are determining if this listeria is the same strain that infected people. Investigators are also checking if other deli meat products are affected. Multiple Boar’s Head products have been recalled.

To avoid listeria infection, the CDC recommends:

• Not eating recalled deli products.
• Cleaning your fridge and other surfaces that may have touched sliced deli meats.
• Avoiding deli-sliced meat if you’re at high risk unless you heat it to an internal temperature of 165°F.

Symptoms of listeria infection usually start one to four weeks after eating contaminated food, but can appear as early as the same day or as late as 70 days later.

Listeria is particularly dangerous for pregnant individuals, potentially causing miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infections in newborns. Non-pregnant people may experience symptoms like headaches, stiff necks, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, fever, and muscle aches.