Heartbreak Continues Despite Boar’s Head Outbreak Slowing Down

Despite the Boar’s Head outbreak slowing down over the past month, more cases and additional deaths have been added with the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) update.

Illness reports have started to decrease, a good sign for the Boar’s Head Outbreak slowing down. But unfortunately, the situation is not over.

Could we see more cases?

Here’s what we know about the Boar’s Head outbreak slowing down so far.

Data Suggests Boar’s Head Outbreak Slowing Down

Two new cases requiring hospitalization and a new death from the state of New York have been reported since the last CDC update on September 25, 2024. The previous CDC update was nearly a month ago on August 28, 2024. A queue suggesting Boar’s Head outbreak slowing down since products have been removed from the market.

Currently, there have been 59 confirmed illnesses associated with the Boar’s Head Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats. All patients have required hospitalization. There have been 10 deaths resulting from outbreak illnesses across 19 states. A new state has been added with this latest update.

Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak

59 cases (2 new with the recent update)

10 hospitalizations (1 new with the recent update)

19 states (1 new with the recent update)

One person became sick during their pregnancy. Fortunately, they remained pregnant after recovering.

With fewer reported cases, the CDC update frequency has reduced to around once a month. This update trend will likely continue on this interval until there are no new cases reported.

Where Are People Getting Sick?

The recalled Boar’s Head products were distributed nationwide, contributing to the multi-state aspect of the outbreak. People from 19 different states have been impacted by the outbreak illness. New York and Maryland have been the heaviest hit, with 17 and 8 illnesses respectively.

States with illnesses include:

• New York – 17 cases
• Maryland – 8 cases
• New Jersey – 6 cases
• Virginia – 4 cases
• Florida – 3 cases
• Massachusetts – 3 cases
• Missouri – 3 cases
• Georgia – 2 cases
• Pennsylvania – 2 cases
• South Carolina – 2
• Arizona – 1 case
• Illinois – 1 case
• Indiana – 1 case
• Louisiana – 1 case
• Minnesota – 1 case
• North Carolina – 1 case
• New Mexico – 1 case
• Tennessee – 1 case
• Wisconsin – 1 case

Deaths Associated with Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak

Deaths associated with the Boar’s Head outbreak slowing down is a positive direction. But unfortunately, more deaths have been reported with each update. A patient in New York was added to the list in this last one.

So far there have been ten deaths across eight states. A new state was added to the most recent update. So far there have been two in New York, two in South Carolina, and one each in Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and New Mexico.

Recall May Contribute to Boar’s Head Outbreak Slowing Down

While the initial recall came involved a small amount of product, it was a start. Following the expanded recall that pulled all products made at the implicated Jarrett facility did the most good.

Affected product is not available for purchase in stores, affectively contributing to the Boar’s Head outbreak slowing down and fewer new cases report.

Unfortunately, product may still be in consumer’s homes. “Some of the products have sell by dates into October 2024.” Additionally, other deli sliced meats not included in the recall may have come in contact with contaminated product. Those products may also be still in consumer’s refrigerators.

Could We See More Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak Cases?

Could we still see more Boar’s Head Listeria outbreak cases?

Unfortunately, yes.

According to the CDC, “it can take up to 10 weeks for some people to have symptoms of listeriosis.” An additional four weeks may be needed for the illness to be connected to an ongoing outbreak.

So yes. We could continue to see more Boar’s Head Listeria outbreak cases.

Listeria Contamination Source of Illnesses in Boar’s Head Deli Meat Outbreak

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 or even die from complications.

While the intestinal version of the illness presents pretty much the same types of symptoms across the board, regardless of your pregnancy status. 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 experience mild illness. These individuals often get better on their own without medical intervention. Unfortunately, they are usually never tested for Listeria, and therefore excluded from outbreak update statistics.

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.

If You Have Been Impacted by the Boar’s Head Listeria Outbreak, It Isn’t Too Late to Get Help

If you have become sick from consuming Boar’s Head deli meat products it isn’t too late to get help. You may have a legal case for financial compensation and the justice you deserve. 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)