ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed on Aug. 8 that a third person died from the ongoing Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to sliced deli meat from Boar’s Head Provisions Co. Inc. 

New numbers from the agency stated that 43 people have been hospitalized across 13 states, including Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin.

“The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses,” the CDC said in its latest update. “This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes three to four weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.”

The agency added that the Maryland Department of Health and Baltimore City Health Department collected an unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst product from a retail store and identified Listeria. The New York State Food Laboratory also identified Listeria from a previously collected sample of unopened Boar’s Head liverwurst products collected by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Division of Food Safety and Inspection from retail stores.

While health officials investigate, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) conducted a traceback of deli meats purchased by sick people in this outbreak to identify producers of interest for further investigation.

Boar’s Head expanded its recall in late July to 71 products and an additional seven million lbs of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.

The company issued an initial recall which included 200,000 lbs of items.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to immediately and voluntarily expand our recall to include all items produced at the Jarratt facility,” Boar’s Head said in a statement on its website last month. “We have also decided to pause ready-to-eat operations at this facility until further notice. As a company that prioritizes safety and quality, we believe it is the right thing to do.”

During the outbreak, Boar’s Head has faced lawsuits regarding the Listeria outbreak.