ATLANTA — As of Aug. 28, nine people have died from the Listeria outbreak connected to deli meats, including Boar’s Head Provisions Co. Inc. products, according to an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Since the investigation first opened on July 19, a total of 57 persons have been hospitalized across 18 states. In its latest update, the CDC reported six more recent deaths, which occurred in Florida, Tennessee, New Mexico, New York and two in South Carolina.

State and local public health officials have been interviewing affected people about the foods they consumed in the months leading up to their illness. Of the 44 people able to be interviewed, 41 (93%) reported eating deli meats. Nineteen people reported eating liverwurst manufactured by Boar's Head.

“Listeria is a hardy germ that can remain on surfaces, like meat slicers, and foods, even at refrigerated temperatures,” the CDC said in its update. “It can also take up to 10 weeks for some people to have symptoms of listeriosis. Do not eat recalled deli meats. Some of the products have sell by dates into October 2024.”

Boar’s Head initially issued a recall on July 26 for over 200,000 lbs of liverwurst product along with other ready-to-eat deli meat products. Within a few days, the company expanded the recall to include 7 million additional lbs of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.

While the Listeria investigation is ongoing, Boar’s Head has begun to face litigation due to the outbreak.