Late last week the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a Listeria outbreak linked to a South Carolina producer’s ready-to-eat meat and chicken. So far 11 cases and 1 death have been identified in four states.
Of 11 people with information available, 9 have been hospitalized, the CDC said. In California, one pregnant women and her twins were sick and both infants died.
“Listeria was found in a sample from the mother and from one of the twin infants, but it could not be found in a sample from the other infant,” the CDC said. “Because of this, only the mother and one twin are included as confirmed cases in this outbreak.”
California has most cases
The Listeria monocytogenes infections are linked to recalled Yu Shang Food ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. All products produced prior to October 28, 2024, have been included in a recall, and the CDC urges consumers to throw away all recalled products or return to the store where they were bought.
As of last week, Yu Shang Food, Inc, a Spartanburg, South Carolina, establishment, has recalled approximately 72,240 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.
Seven cases have been identified in California, two in Illinois, and one each in New York and New Jersey. The average age of case-patients is 64, all patients are Asian, and 55% are female.
Seven people shopped in person and online at markets where Yu Shang food products are sold.
In interviews, patients reported buying their foods from multiple stores. “Seven people shopped in person and online at markets where Yu Shang food products are sold,” the CDC said. “Two people (25%) specifically reported eating Yu Shang brand ready-to-eat chicken products.”