Tragic Listeria Outbreak Claims Infant Life and Triggers Meat Recall

The CDC has reported a listeria outbreak that caused one infant's death and resulted in a meat recall, with the agency indicating that many more illnesses may have gone unreported across multiple states.

In a concerning health crisis, an infant in California has succumbed to a listeria outbreak that is now causing ripples across the food industry. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the tragedy was compounded by the fact that the infant's pregnant mother also became ill with the same infection. In a stark detail, the infant's twin unfortunately lost their life as well, but tests did not detect listeria in that child.

The outbreak has spurred the recall of ready-to-eat meat products from Yu Shang Food Inc., based in South Carolina. The company has pulled over 72,000 pounds of their products from shelves after tests conducted on October 21 showed positive results for listeria. Reports indicate that eleven individuals have been infected across four states—California, Illinois, New York, and New Jersey—between October 2021 and July 2024, although the timeline of the infant's death remains unclear.

The CDC emphasized that the reported infections may not reflect the true scope of this outbreak, as many ill individuals might recover without seeking medical assistance or may simply remain untested. The agencies warn that recent illnesses may still be pending confirmation due to the usual lag in data reporting, typically taking three to four weeks.

Listeria monocytogenes are bacteria that pose a significant threat, particularly to vulnerable populations such as older adults, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and newborns. The health risks associated with listeriosis include fever, muscle aches, confusion, and in severe cases, it can lead to death. The CDC classifies listeria as the third leading cause of foodborne illness fatalities in the United States, with approximately 1,600 people reported to be infected with the bacteria and around 200 deaths attributed to it every year.