A tenth person has died due to the ongoing listeria outbreak tied to a Boar’s Head deli meat plant, federal health officials announced on Wednesday.
The outbreak has affected at least 59 individuals across 19 states. The bacteria was first identified in liverwurst produced at the facility in Jarratt, Virginia. Reports of illness spanned from late May to late August, with all affected individuals requiring hospitalization, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The latest death occurred in New York, contributing to a total of two fatalities in both New York and South Carolina, along with one each in Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and New Mexico.
On September 13, Boar’s Head, based in Sarasota, Florida, announced the closure of the Jarratt plant and the discontinuation of liverwurst production. This decision followed inspection reports that revealed numerous issues, including mold, insects, and significant residue on surfaces and equipment, some dating back at least two years.
The company is now facing multiple lawsuits related to the reported deaths and illnesses.
The plant has not been operational since late July, when inspections by the U.S. Department of Agriculture were halted, prompting the recall of over 7 million pounds of deli meats due to possible contamination.
Boar’s Head officials expressed regret, stating they “deeply apologize” for the contamination of their products.
Listeria infections are caused by a resilient type of bacteria that can survive and even thrive in refrigerated environments. The CDC estimates that approximately 1,600 people experience listeria food poisoning each year, resulting in about 260 deaths. Symptoms can take up to 10 weeks to appear after consuming contaminated food, making infections difficult to trace.
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