Tracking listeria outbreaks and recalls across the US: Where are the cases?
Listeria outbreaks have popped up across the country this year, resulting in hundreds of hospitalizations and multiple deaths caused by exposure to the pathogen.
From deli meat to peanuts to even mushrooms, several major outbreaks and recalls have been announced by officials since January. One of the largest is the ongoing outbreak tied to Boar’s Head deli meat, which left 59 sick, including 10 dead, across 19 states.
Boar’s Head is not the only company grappling with the bacteria in the U.S.: companies like BrucePac and BrightFarms, among others have seen significant recalls and outbreaks caused by listeria in 2024.
With various listeria-related recalls still playing out across the country, here's where things stand.
Boar’s Head
Recall Date: July 19
What products were affected: 7.2 million pounds of liverwurst and other ready-to-eat deli meats
How many people were affected: 59 hospitalized, including 10 dead
Where the outbreak originated: Jarratt, Virginia
Current status: Jarratt facility closed, permanent discontinuation of liverwurst. Investigation ongoing.
BrucePac
Recall Date: Oct. 9
What products were affected: 11.8 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products
How many people were affected: No confirmed reports of illness
Where the outbreak originated: Durant, Oklahoma
Current Status: Ongoing. Check back at FSIS.gov frequently for rolling updates on affected products.
Enoki King Mushroom Farm
Recall Date: Oct. 15
What products were affected: 5.3 oz packages of Enoki mushrooms
How many people were affected: No confirmed reports of infection
Where the outbreak originated: Ventura, California
Current Status: Ongoing
BrightFarms
Recall Date: Jan. 17 and Feb. 8.
What products were affected: Spinach sold in salad, spinach kits and cheese in salad kits.
How many people were affected: No confirmed reports of illness
Where the outbreak originated: Pompton Plains, New Jersey
Current Status: Closed
Planters Peanuts
Recall Date: May 6
What products were affected: Two varieties of Planters products.
How many people were affected: No confirmed reports of illness
Where the outbreak originated: Information not released by Hormel Foods
Current Status: Closed
TreeHouse Foods
Recall Date: Oct. 18
What products were affected: Multiple brands of frozen waffles
How many people were affected: No confirmed reports of illness
Where the outbreak originated: Brantford, Ontario, Canada
Current Status: Ongoing
ANSWERS Pet Food
Recall Date: Sep. 26
What products were affected: ANSWERS brand dog food.
How many people were affected: No confirmed reports of illness
Where the outbreak originated: Fleetwood, Pennsylvania
Current Status: Ongoing
Deaths associated with listeria outbreaks
The only deaths reported from listeria outbreaks this year have come from the large Boar's Head outbreak, which has claimed 10 lives as of Sep. 23, according to the CDC.
Listeriosis or listeria poisoning symptoms
Listeriosis, or listeria poisoning, is a foodborne bacterial infection most commonly caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It is considered a serious condition and can be dangerous or life-threatening, especially to older adults, people with weak immune systems and pregnant people.
According to the USDA, symptoms include:
Fever
Muscle aches
Headache
Stiff neck
Confusion
Loss of balance
Convulsions
Diarrhea
Other gastrointestinal symptoms
Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants
Death
People in higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food, said the USDA.
This article has been updated to add new information.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tracking listeria across the US in 2024 recalls, outbreaks