A Virginia resident is now the third person to die from an outbreak of Listeria traced to Boar’s Head deli meats, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Two deaths that occurred last month were in Illinois and New Jersey.
A Maryland lab discovered the bacteria earlier this summer in a sample unopened package of liverwurst, according to the Department of Agriculture. Further testing showed the same strain was making people sick.
The meat was processed at a Boar’s Head facility in Virginia, leading to a recall over millions of pounds of meat and poultry, totaling 71 products under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names.
On top of the deaths, 43 people across 13 states have been hospitalized with listeria infections. However, it’s probable the number of infections is much higher since most people do not realize they are infected and don’t seek medical help.
Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tiredness, stiffness, head ache, loss of balance and seizures.
“Symptoms usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after,” the CDC said.
Pregnant people, those over 65 years old ,and people with weakened immune systems are especially susceptible to the worst effects.
The public is advised to not eat the recalled products, but the bacteria can be killed by heating the food to “steaming hot,” or 165 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the agency.
