A tenth person is dead from a listeria outbreak that shuttered a Boar's Head deli meat plant.
Federal health officials said Wednesday that the latest fatality was reported in New York. That brings the total deaths to two each in New York and South Carolina and one each in Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee and New Mexico.
As of September 23, a total of 59 people infected with the outbreak strain of listeria have been reported from 19 states, including: Arizona (1), Florida (3), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Louisiana (1), Maryland (8), Massachusetts (3), Minnesota (1), Missouri (3), New Jersey (6), New Mexico (1), New York (17), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (1), Virginia (4) and Wisconsin (1).
The bacteria was first detected in liverwurst made at the Boar's Head plant in Jarratt, Virginia.
The company has since closed the Jarratt plant and discontinued production of liverwurst. The moves came after inspection reports revealed problems including mold, insects, dripping water and meat and fat residue on walls, floors and equipment dating back at least two years.
In July, Boar's Head announced a recall of more than 7 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. The recall includes more than 80 products produced between May 10, 2024 and July 29, 2024 under the Boar's Head and Old Country brand names, with "sell by" dates ranging from 29-JUL-24 through 17-OCT-24.
The CDC said epidemiologic, laboratory and traceback data show that meats sliced at delis, including Boar's Head brand liverwurst, were contaminated with listeria and made people sick.
"We deeply regret that our liverwurst products were found to be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. No words can fully express our sympathies and the sincere and deep hurt we feel for the families that have suffered losses and others who endured illness," Boar's Head said in a statement. "The health and well-being of our consumers are paramount."
Of the 59 people infected with the outbreak strain of listeria, all 59 have been hospitalized, according to the CDC. One person got sick during their pregnancy and remained pregnant after recovering.
Sick people range in age from 32 to 95 years.
The CDC noted that the true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and that the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for listeria. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.
Listeria can cause severe illness when the bacteria spreads beyond the gut to other parts of the body. Almost all severe illnesses from listeria result in hospitalizations and sometimes death, according to the CDC.
Symptoms -- including high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea -- usually start within two weeks after eating food contaminated with listeria, but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after.
Most people infected with listeria usually get mild food poisoning symptoms and recover without treatment.
You are at higher risk for severe listeria illness if you are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system. Pregnant women usually experience only fever, fatigue and muscle aches. However, listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns.
The CDC always recommends people at higher risk for listeriosis avoid eating meats sliced at the deli or heat them to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot before eating.
Anyone concerned about illness should contact a healthcare provider.
The CDC said it will continue to monitor for additional illnesses due to the possibility of cross-contamination in delis and how long it can take for symptoms to start.