Listeria Outbreak Leads to Infant Death and Meat Recall in the US

The CDC reports a listeria outbreak has resulted in the death of an infant in California and sickness in multiple others, leading to a recall of over 72,000 pounds of meat products. Health officials warn that the actual cases may be underreported, underscoring the dangers of listeria infection.

An infant in California has died due to a listeria outbreak linked to ready-to-eat meat products, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported. In addition to the infant, the child's pregnant mother also contracted listeria, and while one of the twins passed away, testing did not detect listeria in that case.

Between October 2021 and July 2024, the CDC reported eleven cases across four states, including California, Illinois, New York, and New Jersey, although the timeline of the infant's death remains unclear. The outbreak has prompted a recall of over 72,000 pounds of ready-to-eat meat products from Yu Shang Food Inc., a South Carolina-based manufacturer, after listeria was detected in their products on October 21.

Of the reported illnesses, seven occurred in California, with the remainder in Illinois, New York, and New Jersey. The CDC emphasized that the actual number of infections is likely much higher than reported, as many people might recover without seeking medical attention or testing. Moreover, recent cases may take three to four weeks to confirm as part of the outbreak.

Listeria bacteria can contaminate various foods, leading to listeriosis, which can be particularly severe for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, immune-compromised individuals, pregnant women, and newborns. Symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, confusion, and gastrointestinal issues. According to the CDC, listeria infections lead to approximately 1,600 cases and 200 deaths annually in the U.S., making it the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness.