According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more Americans have become ill or died in connection with a deadly listeria outbreak in several U.S. states that was traced back to the consumption of sausage products.
On Wednesday, the CDC reported 14 more illnesses and five more deaths nationwide, the agency said in a statement on Wednesday. A total of 57 infections were reported in 18 states. All of these people were hospitalized.
As of August 8, three people from Massachusetts were hospitalized in connection with the outbreak.
One of the hospitalized people was pregnant, the agency said. Although the bacteria can cause pregnancy loss, the person has recovered and is still pregnant.
Eight deaths have been reported, including two deaths due to listeria in South Carolina and one each in the following states: Illinois, New Jersey, Florida, Virginia, Tennessee and New Mexico.
“The actual number of people sick in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known cases,” the statement said. “This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for listeria.”
Current illnesses may not be reported because it can take three to four weeks to determine whether a sick person is part of the outbreak, the CDC added.
Those who became ill during the outbreak reported eating meat that had been sliced at deli counters, which health authorities have linked to Boar’s Head. These meats included liver sausage, turkey and ham.
Of the 44 people who were able to speak with CDC officials, 41 said they had eaten deli meat and 39 said they had eaten sliced meat in a deli section. The 25 people who had eaten liverwurst said they had eaten it before they got sick and 19 said it was Boar’s Head brand liverwurst.
Boar’s Head immediately recalled the liver sausage product after being informed that it had tested positive for listeria, the company said in a statement.
“We are committed to maintaining the highest safety and quality standards,” the company said. “We are cooperating fully with government authorities and are conducting our own investigation into this incident.”
The Boar’s Head deli products listed above are subject to a recall related to a deadly listeria outbreak in multiple states.Boar’s head
According to the CDC, deli meats sold in delicatessens carry a higher risk of listeria contamination because the bacteria spreads easily on deli equipment, surfaces, hands and food.
These bacteria are particularly harmful to pregnant women, people over 65, or people with weakened immune systems, the CDC wrote.
Currently, the CDC recommends that pregnant women and people over 65 avoid eating meat sliced at the deli counter unless it has been reheated to 165 degrees first. Keep refrigerators, containers, and surfaces that may have come into contact with sliced deli meat clean.
Symptoms can develop within two weeks of eating contaminated food and may appear as soon as the same day or as late as 10 weeks afterward, according to the agency. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures.
Anyone with these symptoms should contact their doctor immediately, the CDC said. Anyone diagnosed with listeria infection is asked to submit information to the CDC so investigators can figure out which foods are making people sick.
