HAMPTON ROADS, Va. — An individual in our region who contracted Listeria has died, according to an update from the CDC. According to a spokeswoman from the Virginia Department of Health, the person was over the age of 65 and in Virginia's Eastern Health Region which includes Hampton Roads.
The CDC reported nine additional cases and three deaths August 8, with the other two deaths occurring in Illinois and New Jersey. More than 40 people have been hospitalized in the outbreak, according to the CDC.
On July 26, a recall of Boar's Head deli meat was announced over listeria concerns. The recall was extended on July 30 to include all deli products, which included seven million pounds of prepackaged deli and poultry products made at the company's plant in Jarratt, Virginia.
Last week News 3's Erika Craven spoke to Perfectly Frank, a Norfolk hot dog eatery, who's menu had been largely affected due to the recall.
Watch: Norfolk's Perfectly Frank hot dog eatery leans on other menu items in wake of Boar's Head recall
"It is different having an emptier grill, not as many hot dogs," said Kamarin Collier, shift manager at Perfectly Frank. "The owner got a call from Virginia Deli, the people who provide us our hot dogs and sausages, saying Boar's Head was recalling a lot of their product, and they would come pick it up the next day."
The CDC provided some tips on how to best avoid Listeria:
- Do not eat recalled deli products. Throw them away or contact stores about returns.
- People who are at higher risk for getting sick with Listeria, such as those who are pregnant, are aged 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system, should always avoid eating meats sliced at deli counters, unless heated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot just before serving.
- Clean your refrigerator, containers, and surfaces that may have touched sliced deli meats.
- Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of Listeriaand recently ate meats sliced at deli counters.
- Businesses that received recalled meats should take extra precautions like cleaning and sanitizing and throwing away opened sliced meats and cheeses at delis. Businesses should also follow USDA-FSIS best practices for controlling Listeria contamination in deli areas.
Boar's Head wrote on its websiteit is conducting a review of processes and procedures and expressed sympathy for anyone impacted.
