9 Deaths Associated with Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak

Six more deaths associated with Boar’s Head Listeria outbreak are added to the report. Bringing the total to nine so far.

The death toll continues to rise as new cases continue to be reported in each update.

What do we know so far about this Boar’s Head Listeria outbreak?

The Outbreak

At least 57 people have been sickened with the outbreak strain since May 29, 2024. All patients have been hospitalized. The most recent update brings the number of deaths associated with Boar’s Head products in this outbreak to nine.

57 illnesses

57 hospitalizations

9 deaths

This multi-state outbreak has impacted 18 states so far, with New York, Maryland, and New Jersey being the hardest hit with 17, eight, and five cases respectively.

Other states include Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

These statistics account for the cases where the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes has been confirmed. There are likely more cases of Listeria infections associated with this outbreak that have not been reported.

CDC Concerned That Outbreak is Not Over

The latest report of symptom onset occurred August 16, 2024. A startling fact, telling investigators that this outbreak may be far from over.

This is, in part, due to the hardiness of the bacteria, allowing it to linger in your home long after the food is gone. Even in the cold temperatures of your home refrigerator.

“Latest update: More illnesses and deaths have been reported in this outbreak. Listeria is a hardy germ that can remain on surfaces, like meat slicers, and foods, even at refrigerated temperatures. It can also take up to 10 weeks for some people to have symptoms of listeriosis. Do not eat recalled deli meats. Some of the products have sell by dates into October 2024.”

Deaths Associated with Boar’s Head Deli Meats, the Largest Since Cantaloupes in 2011

The number of deaths associated with Boar’s Head Deli Meats now ranks the worst outbreak since the 2011 multi-state Cantaloupe Listeria outbreak that spanned 28 states, sickened 147, hospitalized 143, and killed 33 people.

The Recall

What started as a small recall in response to early discovery by Maryland health officials who confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in an unopened package of liverwurst quickly grew.

A few days after the initial publication, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expanded the recall to include 71 products produced at the same Boar’s Head facility in Jarratt, Virginia.

Boar’s Head still has 57 products on their website’s recall list as of the August 15, 2024 update. These products include pre-packaged bacon, frankfurter, sausage products, and a variety of fresh sliced deli meats like ham and bologna.

Production Facility Remains Closed Following Deaths Associated with Boar’s Head Deli Meats

After the expanded recall on July 29, 2024 Boar’s Head paused production at the Jarratt, Virginia facility. All products produced at that facility were recalled and USDA began working with the firm.

Boar’s Head indicates they will remain closed until they are sure the threat is passed.

“Production has been paused at our Jarratt, Virginia facility since we initiated the expanded recall in late July. We will not resume operations at this facility until we are confident that it meets USDA regulatory standards and Boar’s Head’s highest quality of safety standards.”

Based on the list of 69 violations over the course of the past year recently brought to light, this could be a tedious process for the company.

Boar’s Head Claims Products on Store Shelves Safe, Produced at a Different Facility

If Boar’s Head has paused production at the Jarratt, Virginia facility, you may be wondering how there are still Boar’s Head products on the shelves and behind deli counters.

Boar’s Head has several other production facilities that are independent of this investigation. As a result, those locations are still making the sliced deli meats, cheeses, pickles, mustards, and other products normally produced at those facilities.

So far, the recalls and illnesses appear to be limited to the Jarratt, Virginia facility.

What is Listeria?

Listeria monocytogenes is a harmful germ with a wide range of severity in symptoms. Some people may experience milder illnesses, while others may require hospitalization and die from their illness.

While the intestinal version of the illness presents pretty much the same types of symptoms across the board. Things diverge a bit when the bacteria enter the bloodstream and move throughout the body.

Symptoms of Listeria Infection

Many people with intestinal Listeria infections get better on their own without medical intervention. Simply treating the symptoms and staying hydrated.

Intestinal Infection

Common symptoms of intestinal Listeria infections involve vomiting and diarrhea that begins within 24 hours of eating contaminated food. This type of illness generally resolves within one to three days.

Complications arise when the infection becomes invasive. This is more likely to happen to people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system.

Invasive Infection

Most of the time, invasive infection symptoms begin within two weeks of eating contaminated food. However, the range for illness onset can be as little as two days or as much as ten weeks!

For those over 65 years of age or have a weakened immune system, invasive Listeria infections often result in hospitalization and sometimes death.

For those who are pregnant, invasive Listeria infections may result in pregnancy loss, premature birth, or a life-threatening infection in their newborn. Common symptoms in those who are pregnant include fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.

Invasive illness in those who are not pregnant often includes fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. They may also experience headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.

Have You Become Sick from Consuming Boar’s Head Deli Meat Products?

If you have become sick from consuming Boar’s Head deli meat products you may have a legal case for financial compensation. The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has a Listeria lawyer that can help.

The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has helped many people with cases just like yours recover millions of dollars in product contamination and product liability lawsuits.

Call (833) 330-3663 or email for a free, no obligation consultation.

By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)