A 12-state Listeria outbreak linked to meat sliced at grocery store deli counters has sickened 28 people killing two of them. A specific brand or type of meat has not yet been identified but turkey and liverwurst are the most likely culprits, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prepackaged deli meats are not associated with the outbreak at this time.
Deli Meat and Listeria
Deli Meat and Listeria Deli meats are commonly linked to Listeria infections. This outbreak is the fifth multistate Listeria outbreak linked to sliced deli meat since 2018. Each of them included at least one fatality.
Symptoms of a Listeria Infection
Symptoms of a Listeria infection, called listeriosis, usually develop within 24 hours of exposure but sometimes can take as long as 70 days to appear. They include –
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Other muscle aches
- Upset stomach or diarrhea
- Loss of balance, confusion, or convulsions
- Flu-like symptoms in pregnant women
Who is at Heightened Risk?
People over 65, people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and babies are at high risk. Among pregnant women, Listeria can cause miscarriage, or stillbirth even if the expectant mother experiences only mild flu-like symptoms.
The CDC is currently advising everyone to avoid eating meat sliced at a deli unless it is heated first.
Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak
During interviews with health officials, the people sickened in this outbreak said they had eaten sliced turkey, ham, or liverwurst before they became ill. The CDC has stated that it doesn’t yet have enough information to identify a specific type or brand of meat but has narrowed the focus on turkey and liverwurst.
Twenty-eight people in 12 states developed symptoms of a Listeria infection after eating deli-sliced meats purchased from various grocery stores. The patients, who range in age from 32 to 94, first reported symptoms between May 29, 2024, and July 5, 2024. All of them were hospitalized. Two people died. One patient was pregnant when she developed a Listeria infection and remained pregnant after recovering.
The 12 states reporting cases are Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Maryland (6), Massachusetts (2), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (2), New York (7), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (1), Virginia (2) and Wisconsin (1). The fatalities were reported from Illinois and New Jersey.
Contact an Experienced Listeria Attorney
The Listeria attorneys at Pritzker Hageman law firm have represented clients in every major Listeria outbreak in the U.S. Our legal team has won hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients, including some of the largest recoveries in history. If you would like a free consultation with a Listeria attorney, please call 1-888-377-8900, text 612-261-0856, or fill out the form below.