Listeriosis Outbreak Linked to Boar's Head Deli Meat: Expect More Illnesses, Says Food Safety Attorney

What is Listeriosis and How is it Spread?

Listeriosis is a rare but serious infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. While anyone can get infected, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of serious illness. Listeria is spread through contaminated food, such as unpasteurized milk, raw fish and shellfish, and deli meat.

In the current outbreak, the contaminated food is Boar's Head deli meat. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified 16 cases of listeriosis in seven states linked to Boar's Head deli meat. One person has died.

Symptoms of Listeriosis

Symptoms of listeriosis can include:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Convulsions
• Loss of balance

Treatment for Listeriosis

Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. The length of treatment will depend on the severity of the infection.

Preventing Listeriosis

There are a number of things you can do to prevent listeriosis, including:

• Avoid eating raw or undercooked fish and shellfish.
• Avoid unpasteurized milk and cheese.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before handling food.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that come into contact with food.
• Cook deli meat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Expect More Illnesses in Listeria Outbreak Tied to Boar's Head Deli Meat, Food Safety Attorney Says

A food safety attorney says that he expects to see more illnesses in the listeria outbreak linked to Boar's Head deli meat. The attorney, Bill Marler, said that the outbreak is still in its early stages and that it could take weeks or even months for all of the cases to be identified.

Marler said that the outbreak is a reminder of the importance of food safety. He urged consumers to take steps to protect themselves from listeria, such as cooking deli meat to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit and washing their hands thoroughly before handling food.

The CDC is continuing to investigate the outbreak. The agency has not yet determined the source of the contamination. The CDC is urging consumers to avoid eating Boar's Head deli meat until further notice.