Listeria Outbreak in US Deli Meats: 9 Dead, 57 Hospitalized; CDC Warns

A severe listeria outbreak connected to deli meats, first reported in July, has claimed nine lives and resulted in 57 hospitalizations across 18 US states. The outbreak, linked to recalled Boar’s Head products, is now the largest listeriosis event since the 2011 cantaloupe outbreak.

Details of the Outbreak

Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the outbreak on July 19, the cases have been traced to South Carolina, Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, and New York. The CDC has identified this as the largest listeriosis outbreak in over a decade.

The CDC advises residents to thoroughly check their homes for any recalled products, particularly those marked with “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” on the label. Some of these products have sell-by dates extending into October 2024.

Understanding Listeria Infection

Listeria is a resilient bacterium that can persist on surfaces and in refrigerated foods. It may take up to 10 weeks for symptoms of listeriosis to appear. The infection can cause severe illness when it spreads beyond the gut to other body parts.

Pregnant individuals may experience mild symptoms like fever and muscle aches but risk severe outcomes such as miscarriage or life-threatening infections in newborns. Non-pregnant individuals may experience headaches, stiff necks, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, in addition to fever and muscle aches.

Health Recommendations

To prevent listeria infection, the CDC recommends:
– Avoiding recalled deli meats and throwing them away.
– Cleaning refrigerators, containers, and surfaces that may have come into contact with deli meats.
– For high-risk individuals, such as the elderly, pregnant women, and those with weakened immune systems, avoiding deli meats unless heated to an internal temperature of 165°F.

Businesses should also clean and sanitize their facilities and discard any recalled products. Following USDA-FSIS guidelines for controlling listeria contamination in deli areas is essential.