Boar’s Head Listeria outbreak grows; three patients now dead

A Listeria outbreak traced to Boar’s Head deli meats has claimed another life and sickened more people.

As of Aug. 8, there were 43 confirmed patients across 13 states. All of the patients have required hospitalization. Three of the patients have died. The patients range in age from 32 to 94 years old.

“Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that meats sliced at deli counters, including Boar’s Head brand liverwurst, are contaminated with Listeria and are making people sick,” according to an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Boar’s Head has recalled more than 7 million pounds of products because of the outbreak.

The recalled products have a 44-day shelf life and were produced as recently as July 17. There is concern that consumers may have recalled deli meats in their homes. The recalled products can be identified by certain codes on the USDA mark of inspection, such as “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” on the product labels.

Refrigeration and freezing do not kill Listeria bacteria. Heating to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F or until steaming hot kills Listeria.

“The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and 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 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak,” according to the CDC.

Specific testing is required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. Anyone who has become ill after eating Boar’s Head Deli meats should seek medical attention and ask to be tested for Listeria.

So far, public health investigators have interviewed 34 of the outbreak patients. Of those patients, 32 reported eating deli meats before becoming ill. Thirty of those reported eating meats sliced at a deli. Two could not remember if their meats were sliced at a deli. According to the CDC, the implicated deli meats were sliced at various supermarket and grocery store delis.  

Outbreak investigators in two states have found Listeria in Boar’s Head deli meats. The Maryland Department of Health and Baltimore City Health Department collected an unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst product from a retail store and identified Listeria monocytogenes. The New York State Food Laboratory also identified Listeria monocytogenes from a sample of unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst products collected by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Division of Food Safety and Inspection from retail stores. Whole genome sequencing determined both to be the same strain that made people sick in this outbreak.

Products sold at delis, especially those sliced or prepared at the deli, can be contaminated with Listeria. Listeria spreads easily among deli equipment, surfaces, hands, and food. Refrigeration does not kill Listeria, but reheating to a high enough temperature before eating will kill any germs on these meats.

Consumers who have had the recalled deli meats in their homes should clean their refrigerators, containers and surfaces that may have touched the meats or their packaging.

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten recalled products and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because symptoms of listeriosis can develop up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, other complications, and death. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth. 

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Source: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2024/08/boars-head-listeria-outbreak-grows-three-patients-now-dead/