10th person dies from listeria outbreak linked to beef at Boar’s Head restaurant

A 10th person has died from a listeria outbreak that has forced the closure of a meat plant in Boar’s Head, federal health officials said Wednesday.

At least 59 people in 19 states have fallen ill from the bacteria, which was first detected in liverwurst sausages made at a Jarratt, Virginia, plant, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. The illnesses were reported between late May and late August. All of the people affected were hospitalized.

The latest death 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.

The Sarasota, Florida-based company announced on September 13 that it would close its Jarratt plant and stop producing liver sausage. The moves came after Inspection reports Investigations revealed problems such as mold, insects, water droplets, and meat and fat residue on walls, floors and equipment dating back at least two years.

Boar’s Head faces multiple lawsuits related to deaths and illnesses.

The plant has not been operating since late July, when USDA officials halted inspections and the company was recalled. More than 7 million Pounds of canned meat due to possible contamination.

Boar’s Head officials said they “deeply regret and apologize” for the contamination in their products.

Listeria infection These poisonings are caused by a hardy type of bacteria that can survive and even thrive in refrigeration. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1,600 people get listeria food poisoning each year and about 260 die. The infection can be difficult to detect because symptoms can appear up to 10 weeks after eating contaminated food.