The death toll has risen to 9 in the Boar’s Head deli meat-linked listeria outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Deaths have been reported in South Carolina (2 dead), Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico and New York.
The outbreak has left over 55 people hospitalized, and is the largest foodborne listeria outbreak in the U.S. in more than a decade.
“This is the largest listeriosis outbreak since the 2011 outbreak linked to cantaloupe,” the CDC said Wednesday.
Boar’s Head officials recalled millions of pounds of sliced deli meat products around the country.
Health authorities found bugs, mold and mildew around sinks and in machinery at a Boar’s Head plant in Jarratt, Virginia. That single plant is linked to the nationwide outbreak.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors found dozens of health code violations at the plant. Bacteria found in the meat processing plant matches the DNA of bacteria found in deli meat.
Americans are urged to check their refrigerators for Boar’s Head deli meat and to Clorox clean any surfaces that might have been contaminated by the meat.
The temperature inside your refrigerator should be maintained at less than 39 degrees Fahrenheit to inhibit the growth of listeria bacteria.
What is Listeria?
Listeria is a bacteria that causes listeriosis, an infection caused by eating contaminated raw, uncooked food. The fatality rate is about 20-30%.
Listeria can be fatal for people with weak immune systems, children, pregnant women and the elderly.
Symptoms and Treatment
Symptoms are mild, including abdominal pain, cramps, nausea and diarrhea lasting only a few days. Muscle pain and fever can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers; diarrhea and upset stomach can be treated with over-the-counter medications.
Your auntie purchased Boar’s Head turkey breast slices from a local Publix store on Sunday. It was delicious.
I spoke to the deli manager at Publix who said the store sourced their meat from a different plant. She said Publix will continue to sell Boar’s Head meat products.
Boar’s Head processing plants and distribution centers are located in different states, including Florida, Virginia, Ohio, and North Carolina.
