CDC reports 9 fatalities in listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meat

NEW YORK —

Tragedy has struck ⁣as a minimum ⁤of nine‍ individuals ‍have lost their⁢ lives due to listeria infections linked to Boar’s ⁢Head deli meats, which were ⁣part of a substantial recall last month, as reported by ‍federal ‍health authorities on Wednesday.

The ‌updated ⁤count of food ⁢poisoning victims​ includes two fatalities 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. Earlier, three⁣ deaths were confirmed in​ Illinois,⁤ New ⁤Jersey, and Virginia.

The outbreak has resulted in at least 57 ⁣people falling ill and being hospitalized. The reported illnesses began in late May and ‍have persisted into August, making ​it the⁢ largest listeria outbreak⁤ in the U.S.⁣ since 2011. In response, Boar’s Head has recalled over 7 million pounds of deli products.

Listeria infections are‍ triggered by a resilient‌ strain of bacteria‌ that can withstand and even flourish in refrigerated conditions. The⁢ CDC estimates that around 1,600 people ⁣contract listeria food poisoning annually, ‍with approximately⁣ 260 succumbing to the infection. The infections can be challenging to trace⁣ as symptoms can manifest rapidly⁣ or​ up to 10 ⁢weeks post-consumption ‌of contaminated food.

The infections pose a significant⁣ risk to the elderly, pregnant individuals, and those with compromised immune systems.

The issue came ‌to ‌light when a⁣ sample of ⁤Boar’s Head liverwurst, collected by health officials ‌in Maryland, tested positive for listeria. Subsequent testing revealed that the⁢ bacteria strain⁣ was identical ⁣to the one causing‌ illnesses ​in people.

Initially, Boar’s ⁤Head recalled liverwurst and other products intended for‍ slicing at retail delis with sell-by dates ⁢from July 25 to Aug. 30. ⁢On July 29, the recall was broadened to⁤ encompass all foods produced at the company’s plant in Jarratt, Virginia. The recall included products sliced at‍ deli counters ‌and some prepackaged retail sausage, frankfurters, and⁢ bacon.

Boar’s Head officials have confirmed on the ⁢company’s ⁣website that all the recalled deli ⁤meats have been withdrawn from stores and are no ⁢longer available. The products were distributed ​nationwide​ and also to ⁣the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, ‍and Panama,⁣ as per U.S. Agriculture Department officials.

The CDC has urged ‍consumers to inspect their refrigerators for the recalled ‌products.‌ They should look for EST. 12612 or P-12612 inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels,​ some of which⁢ have sell-by dates that extend into October. Any recalled⁤ foods should be discarded, and the ‍refrigerator and any‌ other surfaces they touched should be thoroughly cleaned ⁤and sanitized.

While many illnesses caused by‍ food poisoning are short-lived, listeria infections can ⁤have catastrophic consequences.

In Virginia, Gunter‌ “Garshon” Morgenstein, ⁤a resident⁣ of Newport News, passed away on July 18 due to a⁢ brain infection caused ‌by listeria ‌bacteria. His⁤ illness was confirmed to be linked to the contaminated Boar’s Head products.

Morgenstein, 88, was a German-born Holocaust survivor who migrated to⁤ Canada and then ⁣the U.S. as a young man. He⁣ later became⁢ a flamboyant hair stylist,‍ as per his son, Garshon‌ Morgenstein. During his 70-year career, he styled celebrities such as singer Tom Jones and was known for his humorous, outgoing personality.

Morgenstein was ‍fond​ of liverwurst, usually spread ‍on bagels, and bought ​it regularly, preferring the Boar’s Head brand​ due ‍to its ‌perceived⁢ superior quality. He fell ill in early July and was admitted to the hospital on July 8. His condition deteriorated ‍to the point where doctors said he​ had suffered permanent brain damage and was unlikely to recover. His family decided to withdraw life support.

Post ​Morgenstein’s death, a review of ‌receipts revealed that he had purchased the recalled deli meat linked to the outbreak on ⁢June 30. ‍The family has since hired a lawyer, Houston-based Ron ⁢Simon.

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

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