Death toll rises to 8 in listeria outbreak, including 2 in S.C.
COLUMBIA, S.C. - At least eight people have died – including two in South Carolina – after being infected with listeria from Boar’s Head deli meats tied to a massive recall last month, federal health officials said Wednesday.
The new food poisoning toll includes two deaths in South Carolina plus one each in Florida, New Mexico and Tennessee, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Three deaths were previously confirmed in people who lived in Illinois, New Jersey and Virginia.
At least 57 people have been sickened and hospitalized in the outbreak. Illnesses were reported starting in late May and have continued into August, the agency said. It’s the largest listeria outbreak in the U.S. since 2011, and Boar’s Head has recalled more than 7 million pounds of deli products.
Illnesses have been reported in Georgia, but no known deaths.
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Since July, experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been investigating a listeria outbreak that has led to 43 hospitalizations and three deaths across 13 states as of Aug. 8.
The deaths in South Carolina will be added to the CDC’s map later this week, the state Department of Public Health says.
“Unfortunately, an outbreak of Listeria has reached our state, and is potentially the cause of two deaths here,” said Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist. “We want to ensure South Carolinians are aware of this outbreak and that everyone takes necessary steps to avoid consuming products that could be the source of infection.”
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Epidemiologic, laboratory and traceback data show that some meats sliced at delis, including Boar’s Head brand liverwurst, are contaminated with Listeria and are making people sick, according to the CDC. Boar’s Head Ready-to-Eat Liverwurst and other deli products from the same processing plant have been recalled.
DPH and CDC recommend the following steps to avoid Listeria:
- Do not eat recalled meats. Throw them away or stores about returns.
- Check your refrigerator for any recalled deli meats and throw them away or return them to the store. Listeria can grow on foods kept in the fridge.
- Clean your refrigerator, containers and surfaces that may have touched recalled meats.
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Additional steps should be taken by those who are at higher risk. Listeria is especially harmful to people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or who have weakened immune systems. CDC always recommends people at higher risk for listeriosis avoid eating meats sliced at the deli or heat them to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot before eating
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Delis that receive recalled meats should thoroughly clean and sanitize all food and non-food surfaces and throw away any open meats and cheeses in the deli. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service also advises businesses to use best practices for controlling Listeria contamination in deli areas.
For up-to-date information on the outbreak, visit the CDC website.
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