CDC Food Safety Alert
https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/delimeats-7-24/index.html
Listeria Outbreak Linked to Meats Sliced at Delis
Posted August 8, 2024
Fast Facts
Illnesses: 43 (9 new)
Hospitalizations: 43 (10 new)
Deaths: 3 (1 new)
States: 13 (0 new)
Recall: Yes
Investigation status: Active (First posted on July 19, 2024)
Investigation Details
Posted August 8, 2024
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections.
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that meats sliced at deli counters, including Boar’s Head brand liverwurst, are contaminated with Listeria and are making people sick.
Epidemiologic Data
Since the last update on July 31, nine more illnesses have been reported. As of August 8, a total of 43 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 13 states (see map). Sick people’s samples were collected from May 29, 2024, to July 19, 2024 (see timeline). Of 43 people with information available, all 43 have been hospitalized. One person got sick during their pregnancy and remained pregnant after recovering. Three deaths have been reported, including one in Illinois, one in New Jersey, and, as of this update, one in Virginia.
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.
Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the month before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.
The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak (“n” is the number of people with information available for each demographic).
Demographics InformationTable of demographic information (n is the number of people with information available)
Age
(n=43) Range from 32 to 94 years
Median age of 77
Sex
(n=43) 44% female
56% male
Race
(n=39) 74% White
18% African American/Black
5% Asian
3% Other
Ethnicity
(n=36) 97% non-Hispanic
3% Hispanic
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 34 people able to be interviewed, 32 (94%) reported eating deli meats. Thirty of the 32 (94%) report meats sliced at a deli – two could not remember if their meats were sliced at the deli. Of the 33 people who answered if they ate liverwurst, 18 (55%) reported deli-sliced liverwurst before getting sick, and 13 reported Boar’s Head brand. These deli meats were sliced at a variety of supermarket and grocery store delis.
Laboratory and Traceback Data
The Maryland Department of Health and Baltimore City Health Department collected an unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst product from a retail store and identified Listeria monocytogenes. Additionally, the New York State Food Laboratory identified Listeria monocytogenes from a previously collected sample of unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst products collected by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Division of Food Safety and Inspection from retail stores. WGS determined both to be the same strain as the strain making people sick in this outbreak.
USDA-FSIS conducted traceback of deli meats purchased by sick people in this outbreak to identify producers of interest for further investigation.
Public Health Actions
CDC advises people to not eat recalled deli meat products. CDC also advises people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system to avoid eating deli meats or to heat them before consuming.
Recalled Food
Boar’s Head Ready-to-Eat Liverwurst Products
Produced between June 11, 2024 and July 17, 2024, and have a 44-day shelf-life
“Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst made in Virginia”
3.5 pound loaves in plastic casing, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis
Sell by dates range from July 25, 2024, to August 30, 2024
Other Boar’s Head Deli Meat Products
Boar’s Head also recalled all deli products, including prepackaged deli products, in shelf life from this establishment. Look for “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.
See the recall notice for more details about all recalled products.
Source of the Outbreak
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that meats sliced at delis, including Boar’s Head brand liverwurst, are contaminated with Listeria and are making people sick.
Products sold at the deli, especially those sliced or prepared at the deli, can be contaminated with Listeria. Listeria spreads easily among deli equipment, surfaces, hands, and food. Refrigeration does not kill Listeria, but reheating to a high enough temperature before eating will kill any germs that may be on these meats.
Posted August 8, 2024
CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) are collecting different types of data to investigate a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections.
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that meats sliced at deli counters, including Boar’s Head brand liverwurst, are contaminated with Listeria and are making people sick.
Epidemiologic Data
Since the last update on July 31, nine more illnesses have been reported. As of August 8, a total of 43 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from 13 states (see map). Sick people’s samples were collected from May 29, 2024, to July 19, 2024 (see timeline). Of 43 people with information available, all 43 have been hospitalized. One person got sick during their pregnancy and remained pregnant after recovering. Three deaths have been reported, including one in Illinois, one in New Jersey, and, as of this update, one in Virginia.
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.
Public health officials collect many different types of information from sick people, including their age, race, ethnicity, other demographics, and the foods they ate in the month before they got sick. This information provides clues to help investigators identify the source of the outbreak.
The table below has information about sick people in this outbreak (“n” is the number of people with information available for each demographic).
Demographics InformationTable of demographic information (n is the number of people with information available)
Age
(n=43) Range from 32 to 94 years
Median age of 77
Sex
(n=43) 44% female
56% male
Race
(n=39) 74% White
18% African American/Black
5% Asian
3% Other
Ethnicity
(n=36) 97% non-Hispanic
3% Hispanic
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 34 people able to be interviewed, 32 (94%) reported eating deli meats. Thirty of the 32 (94%) report meats sliced at a deli – two could not remember if their meats were sliced at the deli. Of the 33 people who answered if they ate liverwurst, 18 (55%) reported deli-sliced liverwurst before getting sick, and 13 reported Boar’s Head brand. These deli meats were sliced at a variety of supermarket and grocery store delis.
Laboratory and Traceback Data
The Maryland Department of Health and Baltimore City Health Department collected an unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst product from a retail store and identified Listeria monocytogenes. Additionally, the New York State Food Laboratory identified Listeria monocytogenes from a previously collected sample of unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst products collected by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Division of Food Safety and Inspection from retail stores. WGS determined both to be the same strain as the strain making people sick in this outbreak.
USDA-FSIS conducted traceback of deli meats purchased by sick people in this outbreak to identify producers of interest for further investigation.
Public Health Actions
CDC advises people to not eat recalled deli meat products. CDC also advises people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system to avoid eating deli meats or to heat them before consuming.
Recalled Food
Boar’s Head Ready-to-Eat Liverwurst Products
Produced between June 11, 2024 and July 17, 2024, and have a 44-day shelf-life
“Boar’s Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst made in Virginia”
3.5 pound loaves in plastic casing, or various weight packages sliced in retail delis
Sell by dates range from July 25, 2024, to August 30, 2024
Other Boar’s Head Deli Meat Products
Boar’s Head also recalled all deli products, including prepackaged deli products, in shelf life from this establishment. Look for “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.
See the recall notice for more details about all recalled products.
Source of the Outbreak
Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that meats sliced at delis, including Boar’s Head brand liverwurst, are contaminated with Listeria and are making people sick.
Products sold at the deli, especially those sliced or prepared at the deli, can be contaminated with Listeria. Listeria spreads easily among deli equipment, surfaces, hands, and food. Refrigeration does not kill Listeria, but reheating to a high enough temperature before eating will kill any germs that may be on these meats.
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