An infant has died in a listeria outbreak linked to a brand of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, federal authorities said Friday.
As of Friday, 11 people had been infected in four states affected by the outbreak, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among them, nine people were hospitalized and one infant from California died, the CDC said.
The infections have been linked to ready-to-eat meat and poultry products recalled by Spartanburg, South Carolina-based Yu Shang Food, according to the CDC. Recalled products include pork shank, chicken feet, pork feet, duck neck, beef shank and pork tongue.
ABC News has contacted Yu Shang Food for comment.
The label of a ready-to-eat product from Yu Shang Food, Inc. that is part of a recall.
US Department of Agriculture
Most of the cases — seven — were in California, two in Illinois and one each in New York and New Jersey, according to the CDC. Those infected ranged in age from less than 1 year to 86 years, with a median age of 64, according to the CDC.
The deceased infant and his pregnant mother were both infected during the outbreak, according to the CDC. The infant had a twin who also died, although listeria was not found in the other twin’s sample and the case was not included in the outbreak, the CDC said.
Another Listeria illness was reported in an infant who recovered, the CDC said.
“The actual number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to states with known illnesses,” the CDC said.
Yu Shang Food has recalled approximately 72,240 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to possible listeria contamination, the U.S. Department of Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Thursday. Agriculture.
The recalled foods include products made before Oct. 28, the CDC said. The products subject to recall bear the number “P-46684” or “EST. M46684″ inside the USDA inspection mark. They were shipped to retail locations nationwide and sold online.
The label of a ready-to-eat product from Yu Shang Food, Inc. that is part of a recall.
US Department of Agriculture
The full list of recalled items can be viewed here. Anyone with the products is advised to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase, and surfaces should be cleaned thoroughly. Listeria can survive in the refrigerator at cooler temperatures and easily contaminate other foods.
“FSIS is concerned that some products may be found in consumers’ refrigerators/freezers,” the agency said.
FSIS said the problem was discovered when a finished food product produced by Yu Shang Food tested positive for listeria on October 21. Listeria was detected during additional testing of product and environmental samples collected by FSIS, it said.
“Working collaboratively with public health partners, FSIS has determined that there is a link between [ready-to-eat] meat and poultry products from Yu Shang Food, Inc. and a group of diseases,” FSIS said.
The company initially issued a recall on November 9, which was expanded on Thursday.
People aged 65 and older, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness from listeria, according to the CDC.
Symptoms usually begin within two weeks of eating food contaminated with listeria and may include fever, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, stiff neck, confusion, loss balance and seizures, according to the CDC.
The CDC advises contacting a health care provider immediately if symptoms appear.
