Five more people have died in the nationwide outbreak. Listeria infections linked to contaminated Boar’s Head brand meat, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday..
To date, 57 people have been infected across 18 states, all of whom have required hospitalization, and eight people have died. The latest tally makes this the largest listeriosis outbreak in the United States since a 2011 outbreak linked to cantaloupe processed in unsanitary facilities. 147 Listeria Infection According to the CDC, the disease has occurred in 28 states and 33 people have died.
The new cases and deaths come after a massive recall of more than 7 million pounds of Boar’s Head meat products, including 71 items. The recall was announced in a statement. Announced on July 30thThis was an expansion of the recall of an additional 207,528 pounds of Boar’s Head products on July 26. By August 8, when the CDC last released an update on the outbreak, the number of cases had reached 43, with 43 hospitalizations and 3 deaths.
The CDC said in a media statement on Wednesday that the latest case and death tolls are a “reminder to avoid the recalled products.” The agency said the bacteria causing the outbreak is: Listeria monocytogenes“It is a tenacious bacteria that can persist on food and surfaces such as meat slicers even at refrigeration temperatures. It can take up to 10 weeks for some people to develop symptoms of listeriosis.” The agency recommends people check their refrigerators for recalled Boar’s Head products, which have sell-by dates through October.
If you find any recalled meat, the agency warns you should not eat it. Throw it away or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. The CDC and USDA also recommend sanitizing your refrigerator in case bacteria can linger.
Listeria monocytogenes Listeriosis is most dangerous for pregnant women, people over 65 years of age, and people with weakened immune systems. In these groups, the bacteria are more likely to move beyond the gastrointestinal system and cause invasive listeriosis infections. In older people and people with weakened immune systems, listeriosis usually causes fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, but can also cause headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures. These cases almost always require hospitalization, and one in six cases is fatal. In pregnant women, listeriosis also causes fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, but can also lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.
