JARRATT, Virginia: A listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head deli meats has claimed its 10th life, health officials confirmed.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the outbreak, which originated at a plant in Jarratt, Virginia, has sickened at least 59 people across 19 states. The illnesses were traced back to contaminated liverwurst produced at the plant between late May and late August. All affected individuals required hospitalization.
The latest death occurred in New York, bringing the total fatalities to two each in New York and South Carolina and one in Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and New Mexico.
On September 13, Boar's Head announced the closure of its Jarratt facility and halted production of liverwurst after federal inspections revealed serious sanitary violations. Issues included mold, insects, and unsanitary conditions, such as meat residue on equipment and floors, with problems dating back over two years.
The plant has been shut down since late July when the U.S. Department of Agriculture suspended inspections, and Boar's Head recalled over seven million pounds of deli meat due to the potential contamination. The company has issued an apology, expressing deep regret for the outbreak.
Listeria, a resilient bacteria that can thrive in refrigerated conditions, causes around 1,600 illnesses and 260 deaths annually in the U.S., according to the CDC. The infection can be difficult to detect, with symptoms appearing up to 10 weeks after consuming contaminated food.
Boar's Head is now facing multiple lawsuits from those affected by the outbreak.