US Listeria Outbreak Claims Infant Life and Triggers Meat Product Recall

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed an infant in California died from a listeria infection, with the child's pregnant mother also becoming ill. The infant’s twin passed away, although testing revealed no listeria in that case. The outbreak, which has affected eleven individuals across four states from October 2021 to July 2024, prompted the recall of over 72,000 pounds of ready-to-eat meats produced by Yu Shang Food Inc., a South Carolina-based company. These products tested positive for listeria on October 21.

Of the reported illnesses, seven individuals were from California, two from Illinois, and one each from New York and New Jersey. However, the CDC warned that the actual number of cases could be significantly higher, as many recover without medical care or are untested. Moreover, the time usually needed to link illnesses to an outbreak can delay reporting.

Listeria bacteria, responsible for listeriosis, can contaminate food and pose severe health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations such as older adults, pregnant women, and newborns. Symptoms of this infection can include fever, muscle aches, and neurological complications. The CDC stresses that listeria is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the US, with approximately 1,600 infections and 200 deaths attributed to it each year.