Largest Listeria Outbreak in US in Over a Decade: At Least 9 Dead

At least nine people have died after being infected with listeria linked to Boar’s Head deli meats, which were part of a massive recall last month, federal health officials reported on Wednesday.

The latest toll includes two deaths in South Carolina and one each in Florida, New Mexico, Tennessee, and New York, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Three earlier deaths had been confirmed in Illinois, New Jersey, and Virginia.

The outbreak has resulted in at least 57 people becoming ill and requiring hospitalization. The illnesses, which began in late May, have continued into August, making this the largest listeria outbreak in the U.S. since 2011.

Boar’s Head has recalled more than 7 million pounds of deli products as a result.

Listeria infections are caused by a resilient bacteria that can survive and even thrive in refrigerated environments.

The CDC estimates that about 1,600 people are infected with listeria each year in the U.S., leading to approximately 260 deaths. The onset of symptoms can vary widely, occurring soon after eating contaminated food or up to 10 weeks later.

These infections are particularly dangerous for older adults, pregnant women, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

The issue was identified when a Boar’s Head liverwurst sample collected by health officials in Maryland tested positive for listeria. Further testing confirmed that the bacteria strain matched the one responsible for the outbreak.

Boar’s Head initially recalled liverwurst and other products intended for slicing in retail delis, with sell-by dates from July 25 to August 30. On July 29, the recall was expanded to include all foods produced at the company’s plant in Jarratt, Virginia.

The affected products included deli meats sliced at counters as well as some prepackaged retail items like sausage, frankfurters, and bacon.

Boar’s Head has stated on its website that all recalled deli meats have been removed from stores and are no longer available for purchase.

These products were distributed nationwide and also sent to the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama, according to U.S. Agriculture Department officials.

The CDC has urged consumers to check their refrigerators for any recalled products. Consumers should look for EST. 12612 or P-12612 inside the USDA mark of inspection on product labels, some of which have sell-by dates extending into October.

Recalled foods should be discarded, and refrigerators and other surfaces they touched should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.

While many foodborne illnesses are short-lived, listeria infections can have serious and lasting effects.

In Virginia, Gunter “Garshon” Morgenstein of Newport News died on July 18 from a brain infection caused by listeria bacteria, an illness confirmed to be linked to the contaminated Boar’s Head products.

Morgenstein, 88, was a Holocaust survivor from Germany who later moved to Canada and the U.S., eventually becoming a well-known hair stylist.

According to his son, Garshon Morgenstein, his father styled celebrities like singer Tom Jones and was admired for his humorous and outgoing nature.

Morgenstein was a regular consumer of liverwurst, often spreading it on bagels, and specifically chose the Boar’s Head brand for its perceived quality, his son noted.

After falling ill in early July, Morgenstein was hospitalized on July 8. His condition worsened, leading to permanent brain damage, and doctors informed the family that he was unlikely to recover.

His family eventually decided to withdraw life support, his son said.

A review of receipts after his death revealed that Morgenstein had purchased the recalled deli meat on June 30.

The family has since hired a lawyer, Ron Simon, based in Houston.

“It’s really just a senseless accident and tragedy for something that just should not have ever happened,” his son stated. “He still had many good years left.”