On Jul. 19, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that it had begun an investigation into a listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head Deli Products that caused 59 hospitalizations and 10 deaths in nineteen states to date. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data showed that meats sliced at delis, including Boar’s Head brand liverwurst made in Virginia, were contaminated with Listeria and made people sick.

Listeria is especially harmful to people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems. This is because Listeria is more likely to spread beyond their gut to other parts of their body, resulting in a severe condition known as invasive listeriosis.

Because it can take up to 10 weeks for some people to have symptoms of listeriosis, the CDC continued to collect information and release update reports when available.