A listeria outbreak in California has tragically claimed the life of an infant, with the child’s mother, who was pregnant at the time, also falling ill. The twin sibling of the baby also died, although no listeria was found in the second infant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the outbreak, which has affected individuals across four states, has led to a recall of ready-to-eat meat products.

Between October 2021 and July 2024, 11 people were reported as infected in California, Illinois, New York, and New Jersey. However, the CDC warned that the true number of cases is likely higher, as some may not have been tested or reported yet. The illness often goes unreported when individuals recover without medical attention, and it typically takes several weeks for outbreaks to be fully tracked.

The outbreak prompted a recall from Yu Shang Food Inc., a South Carolina-based company, which pulled more than 72,000 pounds of ready-to-eat meat products from the market after their products tested positive for listeria on October 21.

Listeria is a harmful bacteria that can lead to listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea. Listeriosis is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness in the U.S., with the CDC estimating 1,600 infections and 200 deaths annually.