Nine people have died in connection to the Listeria outbreak due to Boar’s Head products

The CDC reported that as of August 29, 2024, 9 people have died in connection to the Listeria outbreak among Boar’s Head deli meat products. There have been 57 cases total, and all those infected have been hospitalized. Infections have happened across 18 states (Arizona, New Mexico, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts). The Boar’s head recall was first issued in July and linked to a ready-to-eat liverwurst product. The recall has since expanded to include dozens of products, such as sliced ham varieties, sausages, and loaves, all manufactured at the same Virginia plant as the liverwurst. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that meats sliced at delis, including Boar’s Head brand liverwurst, are contaminated with Listeria and are making people sick. Listeria spreads easily among deli equipment, surfaces, hands, and food. Refrigeration does not kill Listeria, but reheating to a high enough temperature before eating will kill the bacteria that may be on these meats.