Image by Cico Zeljko from Pixabay
In the most recent Boar’s Head deli meat outbreak update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), additional cases have been added along with the sad report of another death.
What started out as a terrible outbreak linked to the often-elusive source, deli meat, that turned out to be linked to Boar’s Head products prompted a small initial recall. As more data (and cases) became available, the recall expanded.
The number of people sickened with the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak strain continues to rise each week. Each increasing the number of hospitalizations. This week another death was added to the toll.
Here’s what we know.
As of the August 8, 2024 update, at least 43 illnesses have been associated with this Boar’s Head deli meat outbreak. This update adds nine new cases to the situation. All 43 patients required hospitalization (10 new added with this update).
One person became sick during their pregnancy and remained pregnant after their recovery.
A new death was also added to the update, bringing the number of fatal infections to three. One in Illinois, one in New Jersey, and now one in Virginia.
This multi-state outbreak spans 13 states, with New York and Maryland reporting the most cases.
So far there are cases in Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Maryland (8), Massachusetts (3), Minnesota (1), Missouri (3), New Jersey (4), New York (14), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (1), Virginia (3), and Wisconsin (1).
The true number of people sickened in this Listeria outbreak is likely significantly higher than the number of cases reported. Most normally healthy people recover on their own without medical care, so they are not tested for Listeria. Without this diagnosis, their illness would not be included in the deli meat outbreak update.
Additionally, it can take up to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak due to the time period it takes for specialized laboratory tests to be analyzed and uploaded into the national database.
For state with a single reported case, it is unlikely that only one person in the entire state came in contact with the potentially contaminated product and became sick. Other cases are likely just unreported.
Boar’s Head liverwurst was identified as a potential source of the Listeria outbreak after the Maryland Department of Health and Baltimore City Health Department identified Listeria monocytogenes in an unopened package from a retail store.
Additionally, the New York State Food Laboratory also identified Listeria monocytogenes in an unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst product collected from retail stores.
Genetic analysis revealed that both samples matched the strain of Listeria monocytogenes making people sick in this outbreak.
An initial recall was initiated, then expanded following updated data indicating that the list of contaminated products was more widespread than originally thought.
On July 30, 2024, Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc. of Jarratt, Virginia expanded their July 26, 2024 recall to include additional products.
In total, approximately 7 million additional pounds of recalled deli meat were added to the recall.
The expanded recall includes 71 products produced between May 10, 2024 and July 29, 2024 under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names. Both packages intended for slicing at retail delis as well as some packaged meat and poultry products sold at retail locations are included. These products include those with a “sell by” date ranging from 29JUL-2024 through 17-OCT-2024. The full product list can be found here.
Affected products were distributed to retail locations nationwide. Some products were exported outside of the United States to the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Panama.
Recalled products can be identified as bearing the establishment numbers “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on product labels.
Listeria monocytogenes bacterial infections can cause serious illness with severe complications.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can vary depending on pregnancy status.
Most Listeria infections affect the digestive system. However, in some cases, bacteria can make their way outside of the digestive system and enter other parts of the body. When this happens, it becomes an “invasive illness.”
Invasive illness symptoms are unique, in that it they can vary between those who are pregnant and those who are not. While the risk of complications to the pregnancy are serious, milder symptoms are experienced by the individual.
Intestinal illness is the most common form of Listeria infection. As expected, this type of Listeria infection takes place in the digestive system.
Most people with intestinal Listeria infections experience vomiting and diarrhea within 24 hours of consuming contaminated food. These illnesses usually resolve within one to three days.
Most people experiencing intestinal Listeria infections recover on their own without medical intervention. However, the very young, the elderly, those with a compromised immune system, and those who are pregnant may experience more severe symptoms or serious illness requiring hospitalization.
Invasive illness occurs when Listeria bacteria affect other parts of the body. This is where it gets tricky when diagnosing Listeria infections.
For those who are not pregnant, invasive Listeria symptoms are often more severe. Headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions are all common symptoms. Some people may also experience fever and muscle aches alongside those symptoms. This type of illness can be serious and life-threatening. In fact, 1 in 20 non-pregnant people with invasive Listeria infections will die from their illness.
Most people with invasive Listeria infections require medical treatment and often need hospitalization.
Pregnant people often experience fever, fatigue, and muscle aches with invasive Listeria infections. The greater risk, however, is associated with their pregnancy. Listeria infections during pregnancy can lead to still birth, premature delivery, miscarriage, or life-threatening infection in the newborn.
People who are pregnant with Listeria infection symptoms should see their healthcare provider right away!
The CDC advises those in higher risk groups, such as those who are pregnant, people aged 65 or older, and those with a weakened immune system to avoid eating deli meats or to heat them until steaming prior to consuming them.
If you have become sick after consuming deli meat, you may have questions. The Lange Law Firm, PLLC can help answer those questions. Call (833) 330-3663 to discuss your situation with a Listeria Outbreak Team to go over the details of your case. Or fill out the online submission form.
The Lange Law Firm, PLLC has helped recover millions of dollars in products liability suits. Get the justice you deserve while The Lange Law Firm, PLLC helps Make Food Safe!
By: Heather Van Tassell (contributing writer, non-lawyer)
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