A listeria outbreak connected to ready-to-eat meat products produced by Yu Shang Food, Inc. in South Carolina has resulted in the death of an infant and sickened 10 adults across four states. The outbreak affected one person each in New York and New Jersey, two in Illinois, and seven in California, all of whom identified as having Asian heritage. The infant who died was a twin, with the sibling also dying but the cause not linked to listeria. An additional infant who was not related to the twins also became ill but recovered.
The contaminated products were discovered during a routine inspection of the Yu Shang Food plant by USDA inspectors, leading to a recall. The CDC investigators determined a genetic footprint for listeria in the outbreak, indicating all cases were related to the same source. The recall includes prepared meat products such as Braised Pork Belly In Brown Sauce and Seasoned Chicken Quarter Leg.
Listeria infection can be life-threatening, especially for older adults, those with weakened immunity, pregnant women, and newborns. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, confusion, and diarrhea. Pregnant women can pass the infection to newborns, while the elderly are at risk of fatal infection. The USDA urges people to discard the recalled products and ensure that freezers and refrigerators containing the items are thoroughly cleaned.
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