Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats not over: CDC

Latest update counts two illnesses, one death since August report
Listeria’s 10-week incubation period means more cases possible
Keep watching out for recalled deli meats, CDC warns

Updated: Sep 26, 2024 / 05:47 PM CDT

SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA – JULY 31: A recall notice is posted next to Boar’s Head meats that are displayed at a Safeway store on July 31, 2024 in San Rafael, California. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, Boar’s Head has expanded its recall of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products to nearly 7 million additional pounds due to a listeria outbreak. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

(NewsNation) — The listeria outbreak linked to contaminated deli meats is not over, warns the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Its new report counts two more illnesses and one death this month.

As of September 25, 2024, the agency says there have been 59 confirmed cases across 19 states, resulting in 59 hospitalizations and 10 deaths, and it says that more cases could show up since listeria has a long incubation period — up to 10 weeks.

The CDC strongly advises against consuming any recalled deli meats, some of which have sell-by dates extending into October 2024. You should discard these products or return them to the place of purchase.

It also advises delis and restaurants that may have come in contact with the contaminated meats to thoroughly clean and discard opened sliced meats and cheeses from deli areas.

Listeria can cause severe illness when the bacteria spread beyond the gut, with symptoms typically appearing 1 to 4 weeks after consuming contaminated food.

While the original alert was for all deli meats, the CDC investigation narrowed the outbreak to Boar’s Head products. Since then, the firm has recalled more than 207,000 pounds of ready-to-eat deli meat and poultry products.