A tragic listeria outbreak has taken the life of a California infant and sickened at least 10 other people in four states, according to federal health officials. The outbreak is linked to ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, including chicken legs, duck necks, beef shanks and pork hocks, produced by Spartanburg, South Carolina-based company Yu Shang Food, Inc. Are produced by.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported that more than 72,000 pounds of these products have been recalled following the initial action on November 9. These items were distributed to retail locations across the country and sold online. Routine testing in October revealed Listeria in foods and the production environment, prompting further investigation.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that nine of the 11 reported cases required hospitalization. Interviews with affected people and laboratory findings have linked the illnesses to Yu Shang food products.

Despite the recall, officials warned that some contaminated product may still be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. The USDA recommends discarding these items or returning them to the place of purchase. Additionally, refrigerators, storage containers and other surfaces that came in contact with the recalled foods should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to prevent further contamination.

Listeria poisoning occurs when people consume food contaminated with the bacteria. Symptoms range from mild to severe and include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In more severe cases, Listeria can cause headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.

The infection is especially dangerous for vulnerable populations, including infants, pregnant women, people over the age of 65, and people with weakened immune systems. Symptoms may appear within hours or days of eating contaminated food, but in some cases, they may take weeks or even months to appear.

The outbreak follows another Listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meat earlier this year. That outbreak resulted in 10 deaths and dozens more becoming sick. Although it has officially ended, it highlights the ongoing dangers associated with Listeria contamination in ready-to-eat foods.

Health officials urge consumers to remain vigilant about food safety and check their refrigerators for potentially contaminated products. CDC continues to monitor the situation and advises that early detection and prompt treatment are important for managing Listeria infection.

Listeria poisoning, caused by consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, can present a range of symptoms that vary in severity. The onset of symptoms depends on the health and strength of the immune system of the person, as well as the level of contamination. Below are the most common symptoms:

These symptoms are often confused with other common illnesses and may appear within a few hours to a few days after eating contaminated food:

– Fever

– muscle pain

– nausea

– vomit

– Diarrhea

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