Home Nine dead, 57 sick due to Listeria outbreak linked to Virginia company
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Nine dead, 57 sick due to Listeria outbreak linked to Virginia company

Crystal Graham
grocery store deli counter
(© auremar – stock.adobe.com)

Nine people have died as a result of a multi-state Listeria outbreak linked to a Virginia company that produces deli meats.

Six new deaths linked to Boar’s Head deli meats have been reported including one from Florida, one from Tennessee, one from New Mexico, one from New York and two from South Carolina. Three deaths were previously reported in Virginia, Illinois and New Jersey.

Since the last update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in early August, 14 more illnesses have also been reported bringing the total to 57 hospitalizations.

This is the largest Listeriosis outbreak since 2011, according to the CDC.

Consumers are encouraged to check their homes for any remaining Boar’s Head meats with “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.

It may take up to 10 weeks after consumption for some people to have symptoms of listeriosis.

The CDC recommends that people at higher risk for listeriosis avoid eating meats sliced at the deli or heat them to an internal temperature of 165 degrees or until steaming hot before eating.

Listeria can be especially harmful to people who are pregnant, age 65 or older or with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms of the infection may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, fever and muscle aches.

Boar’s Head recalled more than 200,000 pounds of products from store deli counters after a sample tested positive for the current strain of L. monocytogenes. However, the CDC fears that some of the infected deli meat may be in consumer refrigerators.

Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., is based in Jarratt, Va. Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Boar’s Head customer service at 1-800-352-6277.

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Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.