2 South Carolina deaths linked to Boar’s Head recall

Boar’s Head recall deaths overview: 

• Who: A pair of deaths in South Carolina has been linked to an ongoing outbreak of listeria monocytogenes traced to Boar’s Head deli meats. 
• Why: Boar’s Head initiated a recall due to the outbreak in July, prior to expanding the recall earlier this month. The outbreak has been linked to a total of 57 hospitalizations and nine deaths across 18 states, as of Aug. 28. 
• Where: States primarily affected by the listeria outbreak are located in the Midwest, East Coast and Southern parts of the U.S.

A pair of recent deaths in the state of South Carolina are reportedly believed to be linked to an ongoing recall involving Boar’s Head deli meat and listeria contamination that is now connected to nine total deaths. 

The South Carolina Department of Public Health urged individuals in the state to avoid eating the recalled Boar’s Head deli meats, in the wake of the two new deaths, reports Raleigh, North Carolina TV station WRAL. 

“Unfortunately, an outbreak of Listeria has reached our state, and is potentially the cause of two deaths here,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Linda Bell, as reported by WRAL. 

Boar’s Head initiated the deli meat recall in July amid the listeria outbreak, which at that time was already linked to 34 illnesses — including 33 hospitalizations and two deaths — across 13 states. 

CDC links listeria outbreak to 57 hospitalizations, nine deaths

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began investigating the listeria outbreak on July 19. The agency said in an update this week that the outbreak has now led to a total of 57 hospitalizations and nine deaths across 18 states. 

Boar’s Head expanded the recall earlier this month to include all items produced at its Jarratt, Virginia facility. Prior to the expansion, the recall only involved Boar’s Head liverwurst and deli meats. 

The expanded recall includes Boar’s Head items purchased before July 31, including different types of ham, sausage, bacon, bologna, and pork and beef frankfurters. 

The CDC warns it can take up to 10 weeks for some individuals to show symptoms of listeriosis, which, if a mild case, can cause fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and an upset stomach, according to the Food and Drug Administration. 

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Boar’s Head earlier this month over claims the company failed to disclose that the meat products it recalled in July were contaminated with listeria monocytogenes.  

Have you been affected by the Boar’s Head recall? Let us know in the comments.

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