The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today reported 9 more illnesses and 1 more death in a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to certain meats sliced at delis, raising the national total to 43 infections, 3 of them fatal. The number of affected stated remained the same, at 13.

The latest death occurred in a patient from Virginia. All patients identified as part of the outbreak have been hospitalized. Of 34 people who were interviewed about the foods they ate before they got sick, 32 reported eating deli meats. Of 33 people who were asked about exposure to liverwurst, 18 said they had eaten sliced liverwurst before they became ill, of which 13 had consumed the Boar's Head brand. The deli meats were sliced at supermarket and grocery store delis.

Second state IDs Listeria in product sample

Maryland and Baltimore health officials had previously identified Listeria in an unopened Boar's Head liverwurst sample. In its update, the CDC said New York's lab testing has also identified Listeria in an unopened Boar's Head liverwurst sample. 

It added that whole-genome sequencing has determined the Listeria from both samples is the same strain making people sick. 

Sequencing links strain to outbreak

On July 26, Boar's Head recalled liverwurst and other deli meat made on the same production line, owin to possible Listeria contamination. On July 30 it expanded the recall to include about 7 million pounds of its ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. 

The recall covers 71 products made under the Boar's Head and Old County brands, which mainly include products meant for slicing at delis, but also some packaged items sold at retail stores. The products were distributed nationally, with some exported to the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama.