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    • Listeria in the US to follow in 2024, recalls and outbreaks
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    Listeria in the US to follow in 2024, recalls and outbreaks

    Vaseline Posted on

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    This year, outbreaks of Listeria have emerged across the country, resulting in hundreds of hospitalizations and multiple deaths due to exposure to the pathogen.

    From deli meats to peanuts and even mushrooms, officials have announced several major outbreaks and recalls since January. One of the largest is the ongoing outbreak linked to Boar’s Head Deli meat, which has sickened 59 people, including 10 deaths, in 19 states.

    Boar’s Head isn’t the only company struggling with the bacteria in the U.S.: Companies like BrucePac and BrightFarms have suffered significant recalls and outbreaks caused by listeria in 2024.

    With several listeria-related recalls still happening across the country, here’s the state of play.

    The head of the boar

    • Recall date: July 19
    • Which products are affected: 7.2 million pounds of liverwurst and other prepared meats
    • How many people are affected: 59 hospitalized, including 10 deaths
    • Where the outbreak originated: Jarratt, Virginia
    • Current status: Jarratt facility closed, permanent discontinuation of liverwurst. Investigation ongoing.

    Bruce Pac

    Enoki King Mushroom Farm

    • Recall date: October 15
    • Which products are affected: 5.3 oz packages of Enoki mushrooms
    • How many people are affected: No confirmed reports of infection
    • Where the outbreak originated: Ventura, California
    • Current status: Ongoing

    BrightFarms

    • Recall date: January 17 and February 8.
    • Which products are affected: Spinach sold in salads, spinach packages and cheese in salad packages.
    • How many people are affected: No confirmed reports of illness
    • Where the outbreak originated: Pompton Plains, New Jersey
    • Current status: Closed

    Planters Peanuts

    • Recall date: May 6
    • Which products are affected: Two types of Planters products.
    • How many people are affected: No confirmed reports of illness
    • Where the outbreak originated: Information not released by Hormel Foods
    • Current status: Closed

    ANSWERS Pet food

    • Recall date: September 26
    • Which products are affected: ANSWERS brand dog food.
    • How many people are affected: No confirmed reports of illness
    • Where the outbreak originated: Fleetwood, Pa
    • Current status: Ongoing

    Deaths due to listeria outbreaks

    The only deaths reported this year from listeria outbreaks have come from the large Boar’s Head outbreak, which claimed 10 lives as of September 23, according to the CDC.

    Symptoms of listeriosis or listeria poisoning

    Listeriosis, or listeria poisoning, is a foodborne bacterial infection usually caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially for older adults, people with weak immune systems, and pregnant people.

    According to the USDA, symptoms include:

    • Fever
    • Muscle pain
    • Headache
    • Stiff neck
    • Confusion
    • Loss of balance
    • Convulsions
    • Diarrhea
    • Other gastrointestinal symptoms
    • Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and/or life-threatening infection in newborn babies
    • Dead

    People in higher risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months of eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the healthcare provider about eating the contaminated food, the USDA said.

    Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him at X @fern_cerv_.

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