The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported new cases and deaths associated with the ongoing Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats. Since the last update on Aug. 8, 2024, 14 more people have fallen ill, and five additional deaths have been confirmed, bringing the total number of cases to 57 across 18 states.
This outbreak has proven particularly severe, with all 57 confirmed patients requiring hospitalization. In total, eight people have died, including recent deaths in Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico and South Carolina. Public health officials emphasize that the true number of cases may be higher, as not all individuals who fall ill seek medical attention or are tested for Listeria.
Source of the outbreak Epidemiologic, laboratory and traceback data have identified meats sliced at deli counters as the primary source of the outbreak. Outbreak investigators in two states have found Listeria in Boar’s Head deli meats. The Maryland Department of Health and Baltimore City Health Department collected an unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst product from a retail store and identified Listeria monocytogenes.
The New York State Food Laboratory also identified Listeria monocytogenes from a sample of unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst products collected by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Division of Food Safety and Inspection from retail stores. Whole genome sequencing determined both to be the same strain that .
