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A tenth person has died in the listeria outbreak that shut a Boar’s Head deli meat plant in the US, federal health officials said. So far, at least 59 people across 19 states have been victims of the bacterial infection, first detected in liverwurst made at the Jarratt, Virginia, plant. The illnesses were reported from May till August – the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
All of those who fell ill were hospitalized.
The latest fatality was reported in New York, bringing the total deaths to two each in New York and South Carolina and one each in Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and New Mexico.
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Boar’s Head’s Jarratt plant has shut
Last week, the Florida-based company announced that it would close down the Jarratt plant and discontinue production of liverwurst – which revealed mold, insects, dripping water, and meat and fat residue on walls, floors, and equipment dating back at least two years. Boar’s Head now faces several lawsuits related to the deaths and illnesses.
The plant has not operated since July when the US Agriculture Department suspended the license of the firm while it recalled deli meats because of potential contamination.
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Boar’s Head, in an official statement, has “deeply regretted and apologized” for the deaths, illnesses, and contamination in their products.
What is listeria?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, listeria is a bacterial disease that contaminates many foods and causes listeriosis – a rare but serious, life-threatening infection. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria survive in moist environments, soil, water, and decaying vegetation. It can also grow in the refrigerator, unlike most other foodborne bacteria.
Experts say most people get listeriosis from eating contaminated foods and its incubation period varies. It usually takes one to two weeks, but it can be as short as a couple of days or as long as three months.
Mostly, the most common foods that cause listeriosis include:
- Hot dogs
- Deli meats
- Fresh vegetables
- Fresh fruits, especially melons
- Unpasteurized dairy products
Even though anyone can get listeriosis, it is usually not dangerous for those with a healthy immune system. However, those at the greatest risk of becoming very ill or dying include:
- Pregnant women
- Developing fetuses
- People who are 65 years or older
- Those with a weakened immune system, usually from another condition
Signs and symptoms of listeria
A few symptoms of listeria include:
- High fever
- Chills
- Severe headache
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle aches
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
- Sepsis
- Meningitis
- Encephalitis
Can leptospirosis be cured?
According to doctors, there is a cure for listeriosis – with the help of antibiotics that help you get rid of the infection. Your healthcare provider would prescribe antibiotics to babies or if you are pregnant, 65 years or older, or have a weakened immune system. Antibiotics commonly used to treat listeriosis include sulfamethoxazole and ampicillin.
If you have mild symptoms, you may not need treatment. If your baby is born with a listeriosis infection, your healthcare provider will give them antibiotics shortly after birth.