A person is sick in the North Carolina Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak. Here is everything we know about this ongoing nationwide outbreak:
Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., a Jarratt, Va., establishment, is recalling all liverwurst products produced by the establishment. The ready-to-eat liverwurst products were produced between June 11, 2024, and July 17, 2024, and have a 44-day shelf life. The following liverwurst products are subject to recall [view labels]:
The other ready-to-eat deli meat products were produced on June 27, 2024. The following deli meat products are subject to recall:
“One person from North Carolina is sick in a multi-state Listeria outbreak possibly connected to deli meat, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.
The CDC said many people in the outbreak reported eating meat sliced at deli counters prior to getting sick. Twenty-eight people have been infected in 12 states, including North Carolina. All were hospitalized.
One person died in Illinois and one died in New Jersey.
The CDC said most people who became ill ate deli-sliced turkey and liverwurst from supermarkets and grocery store delis.”
“The CDC said that many people involved in the Listeria outbreak reported eating meats that they had sliced at deli counters.
Investigators are working to determine what specific products may be contaminated but people were likely to have eaten sliced turkey, liverwurst, and ham from supermarket and grocery store delis.
Illnesses were reported between late May and early July but officials said recent illnesses may not have been reported yet because it takes several weeks to confirm if a sick person is part of the outbreak.”
As of July 19, 2024, a total of 28 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 12 states (see map). Sick people’s samples were collected from May 29, 2024, to July 5, 2024 (see timeline). Of 28 people with information available, all have been hospitalized. One person got sick during their pregnancy and remained pregnant after recovering. Two deaths have been reported, 1 in Illinois and 1 in New Jersey.
The CDC advises people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system to contact their healthcare provider if they have any Listeria symptoms, including fever, flu-like symptoms, muscle aches, fatigue and headaches. People should also take steps to protect themselves from getting Listeria from deli meats by avoiding eating meats sliced at the deli unless they are heated before eating.
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.
State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the month before they got sick. People are reporting eating a variety of meats sliced at deli counters. Of the 18 people able to be interviewed, 16 (89%) reported eating meats sliced at a deli, most commonly deli-sliced turkey, liverwurst, and ham. Meats were sliced at a variety of supermarket and grocery store delis.
CDC conducted an analysis comparing foods reported by people in this outbreak to foods reported by people who got sick with Listeria but were not part of an outbreak. The analysis showed that people in this outbreak were more likely to eat deli-sliced turkey and liverwurst. This information suggests that meats sliced at the deli are a likely source of this outbreak. However, at this time CDC doesn’t have enough information to say which deli meats are the source of this outbreak.
Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS).
WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak may have gotten sick from eating this food.
USDA-FSIS is working to identify the suppliers of deli meats, sliced at deli counters, purchased by people in this outbreak.
Listeriosis, the infection caused by ingesting the foodborne bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, commonly referred to as Listeria. With a history of listeria infection from deli meats, this outbreak will not be the last one. This infection primarily affects higher risk populations such as pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and those with a weakened immune system. While it is rare for those in other groups to become sick with Listeria infection, it does happen. Though they typically recover without medical intervention.
Symptoms associated with Listeria infection vary depending on the person infected and the part of the body affected. In general, symptoms involve typical fever and diarrheal symptoms similar to other foodborne germs, though this type of infection is rarely diagnosed. For those with invasive listeriosis, where the bacteria spreads beyond the gut is more complicated. For example, pregnant women, non-pregnant women, and those with a weakened immune system often have different sets of symptoms.
Listeria infection in women often includes little more than fever and other flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches and fatigue. The larger danger is that Listeria can lead to miscarriage, still birth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn baby.
More severe Listeria infections in non-pregnant women often includes headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions as well as fever and muscle aches.
Adults over the age of 65 and those with weakened immune systems may develop severe infections where the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria moves outside of the gut and into other parts of the body.
When it reaches the blood stream it can cause sepsis. In the brain it can cause meningitis or encephalitis. Listeria infections can also spread to other parts of the body including bones, joints, and areas of the chest and abdomen.
Listeriosis is generally diagnosed from a bacterial culture. The health care provider requests a bacterial culture panel based on symptoms the patient is presenting. Samples such as body tissue or body fluid such as blood, spinal fluid, or placenta are grown. If the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes grows on the culture plate, the sample is sent to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to be sequenced and added to the foodborne infection database.
Treatment of listeriosis often involves antibiotic treatment. Modes of treatment vary based on the severity of infection. Penicillin, ampicillin, and amoxicillin are often used in the treatment of listeriosis.
It can be a frustrating experience to be affected by food poisoning in a food product-based outbreak. There are a few steps you can take to help navigate yourself through the process.
Seek medical attention and indicate that your illness may be associated with an ongoing outbreak investigation. Your healthcare provider will likely order a test that will indicate if you are infected with the outbreak organism. This sample will be forwarded to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention if it turns out to be the organism of interest. Your healthcare provider will provide you with appropriate treatment options to get you the best options for getting better.
Make a list of the foods and places you have eaten over the past few weeks. Try to be as specific as possible while the details are fresh in your mind. If you have any leftover food items, save them if possible and/or the wrappers so that lot information can be recorded in the event you are interviewed by an investigator. This will assist in traceback investigation efforts. Your actions could mean faster identification of a source and fewer people falling ill from the same product.
Our mission is to help families who have been harmed by contaminated food or water. When corporations cause Listeria food poisoning outbreaks, we use the law to hold them accountable. The Lange Law Firm PLLC is one of the only law firms in the nation focused on representing families in food poisoning lawsuits. This is what we do.
If you were diagnosed with Listeria after eating deli meat in this Listeria Outbreak Linked to Deli Meat and want to make a legal claim for compensation, we can help. Our Listeria lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your Listeria food poisoning. Call us for a free no obligation legal consultation at (833) 330-3663 or send us an e-mail here.
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