Another Massachusetts resident has become ill as part of a deadly outbreak of listeria that has been linked to Boar’s Head liverwurst.
As of Aug. 8, three Massachusetts residents have been reported as becoming sickened in the outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Previously, only two Bay Staters had been reported as being part of the outbreak.
So far, 43 people in 13 different states have become ill as part of the outbreak, the CDC said. All were hospitalized, and three people — a New Jersey resident, an Illinois resident and a Virginia resident — have died.
New York has seen the most cases — with 14 sick people — followed by Maryland, which has had eight, according to the CDC. The first case was reported on May 29, and the most recent was reported on July 17.
Some people who became ill as part of the outbreak may have recovered without seeking medical care, according to the CDC. As a result, the true number of people sickened in the outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to states with known cases. Additionally, recent cases may not have been reported yet, as it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person became ill because of the outbreak.
The CDC previously announced that it had found listeria in an unopened package of Boar’s Head liverwurst from a Baltimore deli. The listeria strain was later confirmed to be same strain found in people who’d become sick as part of the outbreak. As of Aug. 8, an unopened package of Boar’s Head liverwurst from a New York deli has also been confirmed as being contaminated with the same strain of listeria.
The CDC began testing deli products for the bacteria after the vast majority of people who had become ill as part of the outbreak reported eating meats sliced at delis before becoming sick. Those interviewed by investigators reported buying meats from a variety of delis, but had most commonly purchased liverwurst, turkey and ham, the CDC said.
Boar’s Head previously issued a recall for many of its products and ceased operations at a Virginia facility as a result of the outbreak. The deli product company has advised customers to discard the recalled meats or return them to the store where they were purchased for a refund.
“We are committed to upholding the highest safety and quality standards,” Boar’s Head said in a previous statement. “We are cooperating fully with government authorities and conducting our own investigation into this incident.”
Products sold at a deli — especially those sliced or prepared on site — carry a higher risk of being contaminated with listeria, according to the CDC. This is because the bacteria spreads easily on deli equipment, surfaces, hands and food.
Listeria is especially harmful if you are pregnant, over 65 or have a weakened immune system, according to the CDC. Other people can become infected with the bacteria, but they rarely become seriously ill.
Listeria is the third-deadliest food-borne illness in the U.S., according to the CDC. In pregnant people, it can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth or a life-threatening infection in a newborn.
At this time, the CDC recommends that people who are pregnant or over 65 do not eat meats sliced at a deli counter unless they are reheated to 165 degrees first. Additionally, it is recommend that you clean any refrigerators, containers and surfaces that may have touched sliced deli meats.
Listeria symptoms usually start within two weeks of eating food contaminated with the bacteria, but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after, the CDC said. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, tiredness, headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and seizures.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should contact their healthcare provider right away, the CDC said. Anyone found to be sick with listeria is asked to provide information to the CDC to help investigators figure out which foods are making people ill.
