(NewsNation) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed a third person has died from the listeria outbreak linked to meat sliced at grocery store delis.
The outbreak led U.S. health officials to call for a recall of more than 7 million pounds of popular Boar’s Head Provision Company deli meats made at a plant in Virginia. The U.S. Department of Agriculture said over 70 Boar’s Head products are affected.
Since the last update on July 31, nine more illnesses have been reported, according to the CDC. The report said 43 people from 13 states have been infected with the outbreak strain of listeria bacteria, and all 43 have been hospitalized.
Three deaths have been reported; one each in Illinois, New Jersey and Virginia.
The CDC says that the number of people who are sick in this outbreak is likely higher than reported because some people recover without medical care, aren’t tested for listeria or because it can take 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of this specific outbreak.
Boar’s Head is now facing a potential consumer class action lawsuit because of the nationwide recall over concerns regarding listeria.