Nine people have died in a listeria outbreak connected to Boar’s Head deli meat, the CDC reported on Wednesday. This is an increase from the three deaths initially reported on August 8.
So far, 57 people have fallen ill, with all of them requiring hospitalization. The outbreak has spread across 18 states, with deaths reported in eight states, including Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina, Illinois, New Jersey, and Virginia.
The CDC warns that the actual number of people affected is likely higher than the reported cases. Many individuals recover from listeria without medical treatment and are never tested, so they may not be included in the official count.
Boar’s Head first recalled its Strassburger Brand Liverwurst in late July after it was found to be potentially contaminated with listeria. The company then expanded the recall to include all products made at its Virginia facility, totaling 7 million pounds.
None of the recalled items are currently for sale, but health officials urge people to check their refrigerators for any recalled meats and to thoroughly clean surfaces that may have come into contact with the contaminated products.
Listeria can survive on surfaces, even in cold environments like refrigerators. The CDC advises reheating deli meat to a high temperature before eating to kill the bacteria.
Listeria is especially dangerous for pregnant women, people over 65, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms, which include fever, muscle aches, and tiredness, can appear within two weeks of consuming contaminated food but may also develop as late as 10 weeks after exposure.