Listeria outbreak linked to Deli Meats claims 5 more lives, CDC says

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday that a Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats has resulted in 14 new illnesses and five additional deaths.

This brings the total to 57 cases, all of which required hospitalisation, with eight deaths in total.

The outbreak is now the largest incident of listeriosis since the 2011 cantaloupe outbreak.

The five recent deaths occurred in Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico and South Carolina, according to the agency.

Listeria is a hardy bacteria that can survive on surfaces such as meat slicers and in food, even at refrigerated temperatures.

Although refrigeration does not kill Listeria, reheating food to a high enough temperature before consumption can kill the bacteria.

The CDC reports that epidemiologic, laboratory, and follow-up data indicate that deli meats, including Boar’s Head brand liverwurst, are contaminated with Listeria and cause illness.

Symptoms of listeriosis, which include fever, chills and headache, can take up to ten weeks to appear in some people.

The health agency strongly advises against eating the recalled foods and urges consumers to check for recalled products as they may have a long shelf life.

Some of the products were sold until October 2024, it added.

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