A listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head Deli meats has now claimed the lives of three individuals, according to an announcement made by federal food safety officials on Thursday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also reported an increase in the total number of cases, bringing the count to 43 people affected.
The most recent death occurred in Virginia, following two earlier fatalities in New Jersey and Illinois. The CDC’s update revealed nine new cases since their last statement on July 31. The outbreak, which began in late May, continues to raise concerns.
On July 30, Boar’s Head expanded its recall to include 7 million pounds of deli meats after a liverwurst sample collected by Maryland health officials tested positive for listeria. This was an extension of an initial recall on July 25. Further testing by New York health authorities confirmed that the same strain of listeria was present in another liverwurst sample.
The recall encompasses over 70 products, such as liverwurst, ham, beef salami, and bologna, all produced at the company’s facility in Jarratt, Virginia.
Boar’s Head is currently facing two lawsuits related to the outbreak—one filed in Missouri and a class action suit in federal court in New York.
The contaminated meats were distributed to stores across the United States, as well as to the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama. Consumers are advised not to consume the recalled products and are urged to discard them or return them for a refund. Since listeria bacteria can survive and multiply at refrigeration temperatures, officials recommend that anyone who had the recalled products thoroughly clean and disinfect their refrigerators to avoid further contamination.
The CDC estimates that listeria food poisoning affects about 1,600 people annually, with approximately 260 fatalities.
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Common symptoms of listeria infection include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, though severe cases can lead to confusion and seizures. The infection is particularly dangerous for individuals over 65, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant individuals. Symptoms can take weeks to appear after consuming contaminated food.
