An infant has tragically died and at least 10 adults are sickened in a four-state listeria outbreak linked to contaminated ready-to-eat meat products from Yu Shang Food, Inc. in South Carolina.

The outbreak, which has resulted in the hospitalization of nine individuals across California, Illinois, New York, and New Jersey, raises significant public health concerns as the contamination was discovered during a routine inspection on October 21. With approximately 72,240 pounds of ready-to-eat meat products recalled, the CDC emphasizes that the number of actual cases may be higher, highlighting the dangerous impact of listeria, particularly for vulnerable populations such as infants, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 11 people have been infected with listeria across the four affected states. The location with the highest number of cases is California, which has reported seven infections. Illinois follows with two cases, while both New York and New Jersey have confirmed one case each.

Among those infected, the CDC noted that nine individuals required hospitalization due to severe symptoms of listeriosis, which can include fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal distress. Listeriosis can be particularly dangerous, leading to life-threatening illness in pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems.

Inspection results revealed that listeria contamination in ready-to-eat meat products was identified at the Yu Shang Food facility. The CDC’s findings underline the importance of routine inspections in ensuring public health and food safety. The contaminated ready-to-eat meats, produced prior to October 28, include pork hock, chicken feet, duck neck, and beef shank.

The specific establishment numbers associated with the recalled products are 'P-46684' and 'EST. M46684'. Consumers are advised to check for these numbers to determine if they have purchased any affected items. The recall, encompassing nearly 72,240 pounds of meat and poultry products, is a precautionary measure aimed at preventing further illness.

Health authorities remind the public that exposure to listeria can lead to severe health complications. Symptoms typically manifest as fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, and diarrhea. The severity of these symptoms can escalate rapidly, especially among susceptible groups.

In light of this outbreak, the CDC cautions that the overall number of people affected might be higher than currently reported. Due to the nature of listeria infections, symptoms can take weeks to appear, and not everyone who becomes infected seeks medical treatment. Consequently, some cases may go unreported, complicating the tracking and management of the outbreak.

The CDC and local health departments are actively monitoring the situation and providing updates as they become available. Public health officials urge anyone who may have purchased these ready-to-eat meat products to return them to the point of purchase or discard them to reduce the risk of infection.

This outbreak serves as a reminder of the need for continual vigilance regarding food safety regulations, especially in the production of ready-to-eat foods. Consumers are advised to stay informed about recalls and foodborne illness outbreaks, as this knowledge can be crucial in preventing illness.