Last Updated: August 1, 2024
The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), and several other health departments on a multi-state outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections. Many people in this outbreak have eaten meats sliced at deli counters. Boar’s Head has recalled several deli meat products after testing of liverwurst identified Listeria.
Please refer to the CDC webpage on the outbreak for the most updated information, as this information is subject to change. People who are pregnant, aged 65 and older, or who have weakened immune systems are more likely to get very sick from Listeria. People in these groups can choose safer foods to protect their health and can take other prevention steps.
If you’ve eaten a food that’s been recalled because of a listeria outbreak, watch for signs or symptoms of illness. If you have a fever, muscle aches, nausea or diarrhea, contact a healthcare provider. The same goes for illness after eating a potentially contaminated product, such as foods made with unpasteurized milk or poorly heated hot dogs or deli meats.
If you have a high fever, severe headache, stiff neck, confusion or sensitivity to light, seek emergency care immediately. These signs and symptoms can indicate bacterial meningitis, a life-threatening complication of a listeria infection. You can learn more about listeria from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) webpage.
On the VDH website you can learn more about foodborne diseases and outbreaks, and how to report a foodborne illness.
Visit the CDC outbreak website for the most up-to-date information about this ongoing outbreak.