CDC Investigating Multistate Outbreak of Listeria Infections Linked to Meats Sliced at Delis

A CDC Investigation Notice update regarding a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections has been posted at

Key Points:

• Thirty-four people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 13 states. Thirty-three people have been hospitalized and two deaths have been reported, one from Illinois and one from New Jersey.
• In interviews with sick people, 23 of 24 (89%) reported eating meats sliced at deli counters. Thirteen people reported eating deli sliced liverwurst, with seven of those reporting Boar’s Head brand.
• An unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst product tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. WGS is ongoing to determine if the listeria in the liverwurst is the same as the ill people.
• Investigators are working to determine if other deli meat products are affected.

What You Should Do:

• Do not eat recalled deli products. Throw them away or contact stores about returns.
• People who are at higher risk for getting sick with Listeria should still avoid eating meats sliced at deli counters, unless heated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot just before serving.
• Clean your refrigerator, containers, and surfaces that may have touched sliced deli meats.
  • Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of Listeria and recently ate meats sliced at deli counters.
• Businesses that received recalled meats should take extra precautions like cleaning and sanitizing and throwing away opened sliced meats and cheeses at delis. Businesses should also follow USDA-FSIS best practices for controlling Listeria contamination in deli areas.

About Listeria:

• Listeria can cause severe illness (known as invasive listeriosis) when the bacteria spread beyond the gut to other parts of the body.
• Pregnant people typically experience only fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threating infection of the newborn.
• People who are not pregnant may experience headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions, in addition to fever and muscle aches.
• Symptoms of severe illness usually start 1 to 4 weeks after eating contaminated food with Listeria but may start as early as the same day or as late as 70 days after.

If you have questions about cases in a particular state, please call that state’s health department.

Thank you,
CDC Media Support Branch
404-639-3286
[email protected]