The latest listeria outbreak in the United States 2024

The latest listeria outbreak in the United States has caused widespread alarm among consumers and, additionally, has resulted in a total of 9 deaths in recent weeks.

The end of August 2024 leaves a sense of alarm, with some stores under scrutiny due to the listeria outbreak in the United States.

In this context, a Boar’s Head deli plant in Virginia, linked to a deadly food poisoning outbreak, repeatedly violated federal regulations.

In this case, the listeria outbreak in the United States could involve incidents where mold, insects, liquid dripping from ceilings, and meat and grease residue were found on walls, floors, and equipment.

Government inspectors recorded 69 cases of “non-compliance” with federal regulations over the past year, which could be contributing factors to the listeria outbreak in the United States.

Many of these cases occurred in recent weeks, according to documents released through federal Freedom of Information Act requests.

Inspections at Boar’s Head in Virginia will continue, and the plant will remain closed “until the facility can demonstrate that it can produce a safe product,” Department of Agriculture officials said in a statement on Thursday.

Boar’s Head officials halted production at the Jarratt, Virginia, plant in late July.

The plant has been linked to the deaths of at least nine people and the hospitalization of approximately 50 others across 18 states.

All fell ill with listeria after consuming deli meats from Boar’s Head Provisions Co. Inc.

The company recalled over 7 million pounds of products last month after tests confirmed that listeria bacteria in Boar’s Head products were making people sick.

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What inspectors found at the Boar’s Head plant

Between August 1, 2023, and August 2, 2024, inspectors found “a large accumulation of discolored meat” and “meat splatters on the walls and large chunks of meat on the floor.”

They also documented flies “coming in and out” of the pickling tanks and “black mold stains” on a ceiling.

An inspector detailed that there was pooled blood on the floor and “a rancid odor in the refrigerator.”

Plant personnel received repeated notices of non-compliance, according to the documents.

“I think it’s disgusting and shameful,” said Garshon Morgenstein, whose 88-year-old father, Gunter, died on July 18 due to a listeria infection linked to Boar’s Head liver pâté.

The latest listeria outbreak in the United States has sparked criticism and prompts deep reflection on the inspection practices at meat processing plants.

In the case of Boar’s Head, it was inspected by Virginia officials in partnership with the United States Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

When issues were found, Boar’s Head took “corrective actions in accordance with FSIS regulations,” officials said.

Federal reports do not show any enforcement actions against Boar’s Head between January and March, the latest records available.

The documents, first reported by CBS News, did not contain any test results confirming the presence of listeria in the factory.

The bacteria thrive on floors, walls, drains, cracks, crevices, and hard-to-clean areas of food processing equipment.

Pests like flies can easily spread the bacteria throughout a plant, and the germ can survive in biofilms: thin, slimy accumulations of bacteria that are difficult to eradicate.

Boar’s Head officials did not respond to an AP request for comment, but a spokesperson told CBS that the company regrets the impact of the recall and prioritizes food safety.

On its website, the company stated that all issues raised by government inspectors were immediately addressed.

Barbara Kowalcyk, director of the Food Safety and Nutrition Institute at George Washington University, said the records are a red flag.

Donald Schaffner, a food safety and science expert from Rutgers who reviewed the inspection documents, said that reports of condensation throughout the plant are concerning because it is a known risk factor for listeria.

Latest listeria outbreak in the United States

Listeria infections make about 1,600 people sick each year in the U.S., where around 260 people die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

People over 65, pregnant women, or those with weakened immune systems are the most vulnerable.

Bill Marler, a Seattle attorney who has sued companies over foodborne illness outbreaks, said the conditions described in the inspection reports were the worst he had seen in three decades.

Garshon Morgenstein said his father bought Boar’s Head products because of the company’s reputation.

If you want to know more information about the United States: USA News. 

Listeria Symptoms

After the latest listeria outbreak in the United States, citizens should be aware of the symptoms of this illness, which, according to the CDC, could include:

Listeria can cause fever and diarrhea similar to other foodborne microbes.

The symptoms in people with invasive listeriosis, meaning when the bacteria have spread beyond the intestines, depend on whether the person is pregnant or not.

In pregnant women: Pregnant women usually only experience fever and other flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and muscle aches.

However, infection during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or potentially life-threatening infections in the newborn.

Other symptoms may include headache, neck stiffness, confusion, loss of balance, and seizures, in addition to fever and muscle aches.

People with invasive listeriosis typically report symptoms between 1 and 4 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria.

Some people have reported symptoms up to 70 days after exposure, or as early as the same day of exposure.

Listeria Mortality

Listeria is generally a mild illness for pregnant women but causes severe illness in the fetus or newborn baby.

However, in adults aged 65 and older, and people with weakened immune systems, it more commonly leads to serious infections of the bloodstream (causing septicemia) or the brain (causing meningitis or encephalitis).

Listeria infections can sometimes affect other parts of the body, including the bones, joints, and parts of the chest and abdomen.

With the latest listeria outbreak in the United States, citizens are particularly concerned about the death of 9 people.

Most people with invasive listeriosis require hospital care, and approximately one in five die from the illness.

When listeriosis occurs during pregnancy, it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or death of the newborn.

Listeriosis during pregnancy leads to fetal loss in about 20% of cases and newborn death in around 3%.