Infant Dies, 10 Sickened Amid Listeria Outbreak Tied to Ready-to-Eat Meat

Outbreak Linked to South Carolina-Based Company

An infant has died and 10 adults have been sickened amid a four-state listeria outbreak connected to ready-to-eat meat products, officials said.

Details of the Outbreak

The outbreak has been tied to ready-to-eat meat produced by Yu Shang Food, Inc. of Spartanburg, South Carolina, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in an update Friday.

Sickened Individuals

Among those sickened, there was one person each in New York state and New Jersey, two in Illinois, and seven in California, including the child who died. All have identified themselves as having Asian heritage, the CDC said.

Infant Death

The infant who died was a twin whose sibling also died but whose death could not be linked to listeria. Their pregnant mother was also sickened but recovered, the CDC said.

Investigation

Listeria was found in a sample from the mother and from one of the twin infants, but it could not be found in a sample from the other infant. Another infant, apparently not related to the twins, became ill and also recovered, it said.

Recall

Contaminated products were discovered during a routine inspection of the Yu Shang Food plant by U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors on Oct. 21, which led to a recall on Nov. 9 and an expanded recall on Thursday, according to a USDA statement.

Recalled Products

The recall covers nearly two dozen varieties of prepared meat that include “Braised Pork Belly In Brown Sauce,” “Seasoned Chicken Quarter Leg,” and “Braised Beef Shank,” according to the USDA. The recalled products were produced before Oct. 28 and marked inside USDA inspection hallmarks as “P-46684” or “EST. M46684.”

Precautions

Anyone with the recalled products was urged to discard them, the USDA said. Freezers and refrigerators that contained the product should be carefully cleaned, the CDC said.

Risks Associated with Listeria

Exposure to listeria can cause life-threatening illness for older adults, those with weakened immunity systems, pregnant women, and newborns, the USDA said. Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions and diarrhea, the CDC said. For pregnant women it can infect newborns, it said, and for the elderly it can cause fatal infections.

Conclusion

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are working together to investigate the outbreak and prevent further illnesses.

FAQs

Q: What is listeria?
A: Listeria is a type of bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections.

Q: Who is at risk for listeria infection?
A: Older adults, those with weakened immunity systems, pregnant women, and newborns are at higher risk for listeria infection.

Q: What are the symptoms of listeria infection?
A: Symptoms of listeria infection can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions and diarrhea.

Q: How can I prevent listeria infection?
A: To prevent listeria infection, it is important to handle and cook food safely, and to avoid consuming contaminated products.