Six more deaths linked to listeria outbreak at Boar's Head delicatessen meat

Six More people have died and more than a dozen have become ill in a listeria outbreak in several U.S. states traced to Boar's Head deli meat, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in an update Wednesday.

The total number of deaths now stands at nine. A total of 57 people have been hospitalized since the outbreak. According to the CDC, this is the largest listeriosis outbreak since 2011, when more than 30 people died from infected melons. The outbreak has been reported in 18 states.

On July 25, Boar's Head recalled its Strassburger brand liver sausage because it contained the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. The meat was produced at its Jarratt, Virginia, facility.

The recall was expanded a few days later to seven million pounds of meat. According to the company, this includes all products produced at the factory.

“Food safety is our highest priority, and the health and well-being of our consumers is of the utmost importance,” Boar's Head said in an Aug. 15 update. “We deeply regret the impact this recall has had on the families affected. No words can express our sympathy and the sincere and deep pain we feel for those who have suffered loss or endured illness.”

The deaths occurred in Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, South Carolina, Illinois, New Jersey and Virginia. The sick patients were between 32 and 94 years old, with an average age of 77.

Data shows that meat sliced ​​at deli stores, including Boar's Head brand liver sausage, was contaminated with listeria. The bacteria spreads easily through deli equipment, surfaces, hands and food, according to the CDC. Refrigeration does not kill the bacteria.

Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic. If the listeria infection spreads to your nervous system, you may experience symptoms such as stiff neck, headache and loss of balance. Listeria can be very serious for people with weakened immune systems, pregnant women and people over 65.