What are Listeria? What you need to know
Learn about Listeria, its symptoms and important preventive measures to protect against foodborne illness.
Due to the listeria outbreak in several US states, which resulted in hospitalizations and deaths, over 3.4 million kilograms of deli meat have been thrown away in recent weeks.
Boar’s Head has recalled 71 products since July 26 and is currently facing legal action in several states, including at least one class action lawsuit. In the region, many delis have been temporarily closed to conduct deep cleaning due to the outbreak.
The Center for Disease Control is actively investigating the outbreak.
What is the current status of the listeria outbreak? Here you can find out everything you need to know.
How many people have become ill since July due to the listeria outbreak in delicatessen meat?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced last week that there had been at least one additional death and 10 new hospitalizations as a result of the outbreak since late July. This information was published in the latest CDC update on August 8.
How many people have become ill or died as a result of the outbreak?
The first outbreak in July left at least three people dead and another 40 people hospitalized in 13 states, leading to numerous lawsuits, according to the CDC.
The following countries were affected by the outbreak:
- New York: 14 patients
- Maryland: 8 patients
- New Jersey: 4 infected, 1 dead
- Massachusetts: 3 patients
- Missouri: 3 patients
- Virginia: 3 sick
- Georgia: 2 patients
- Minnesota: 1 patient
- Wisconsin: 1 patient
- Illinois: 1 death
- Pennsylvania: 1
- North Carolina: 1
- Indianapolis: 1
What are listeria?
According to the CDC, “Listeria is a bacteria that can contaminate many foods. People who eat these foods can become infected with listeria. The infection is called listeriosis. Listeria most commonly causes illness in pregnant women and their newborns, adults age 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems. Other people can become infected with listeria but rarely become seriously ill.”
The CDC added that listeria is estimated to be “the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the United States.”
USA Today contributed to this report.
