Tennessee
Listeria outbreak linked to Boar’s Head facility claims one victim in Tennessee
What is listeria? Here’s what you need to know
Learn about Listeria, its symptoms and essential preventive measures to safeguard against the food borne illness.
The effects of a listeria outbreak that began on July 19 have continued to grow and now include one death in Tennessee.
A total of 18 states have reported cases of listeria. There have been 57 hospitalizations as a result of the outbreak. The most recent update from the Centers for Disease Control included a single case and death in Tennessee among six other deaths.
The outbreak has been tied to Boar’s Head liverwurst products. Of these products, 7.2 million pounds of deli meats have been recalled. There is a class-action suit was filed against the company in early August.
Here is what to know about the outbreak.
Is Tennessee part of the listeria outbreak?
Tennessee is now officially a part of the outbreak. The CDC announced there were six new deaths and 14 new cases from the outbreak. Of these deaths, one occurred in Tennessee.
South Carolina has the most deaths with two. There have been nine deaths in total from this outbreak. According to the CDC, this is the largest listeriosis outbreak since a 2011 outbreak linked to cantaloupe.
States affected by the outbreak are:
- Arizona: 1 case
- Florida: 3 cases, 1 death
- Georgia: 2 cases
- Illinois: 1 case, 1 death
- Indiana: 1 case
- Maryland: 8 cases
- Massachusetts: 3 cases
- Minnesota: 1 case
- Missouri: 3 cases
- New Jersey: 5 cases, 1 death
- New Mexico: 1 case, 1 death
- New York: 17 cases, 1 death
- North Carolina: 1 case
- Pennsylvania: 2 cases
- South Carolina: 2 cases, 2 deaths
- Tennessee: 1 case, 1 death
- Virginia: 4 cases, 1 death
- Wisconsin: 1 case
What brands are involved in the listeria outbreak?
Products under recall will be under the brands Boar’s Head and Old Country labels. The recall was expanded on July 30 to include 71 total products that were produced between May 10 and July 29. Products will have sell by dates ranging from July 29 to Oct. 17, 2024.
The original list of recalled items included these Boar’s Head products.
- Virginia Old Fashioned Ham with sell by date of Aug. 10.
- Italian Cappy Style Ham with sell by date of Aug. 10.
- Extra Hot Italian Cappy Style Ham with sell by date of Aug. 10.
- Bologna with sell by date of Aug. 10.
- Beef Salami with sell by date of Aug. 10.
- Steakhouse Roasted Bacon Heat and Eat with sell by date of Aug. 15.
- Garlic Bologna with sell by date of Aug. 10.
- Beef Bologna with sell by date of Aug. 10.
Boar’s Head facility caused outbreak with insects, mold an mildew
The Department of Agriculture found insects, mold and mildew at the Boar’s Head plant in Virginia linked to the listeria outbreak. There were a total of 69 “noncompliances” filed by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service inspectors over the past year.
Among the “noncompliances” listed in the records CBS News acquired from the USDA:
- July 25, 2024: A flying insect was spotted near a rack holding 980 pounds of Tavern Ham.
- July 23, 2024: An inspector found what “appeared to be black mold and mildew” and rust underneath hand washing sinks.
- July 17, 2024: Three dead insects found in the Cure Cooler and several more, two of which were alive, in the facility.
- June 10, 2024: “Approximately 15-20 flies were observed going in and out of the 4 vats of pickle left in the room” (on the plant’s “raw side”). Also found in other parts of the plant were “small flying gnat like insects were observed crawling on the walls and flying around the room,” plus “a steady line of ants … traveling down the wall floor junction on the right side of the room” and 7 ladybugs, 1 beetle-like insect and 1 cockroach-like insect.
- February 21, 2024: “Ample amounts of blood in puddles on the floor” in the Raw Receiving cooler. “There was also a rancid smell in the cooler.”
What are the symptoms of listeria?
Symptoms of listeria typically start one to four weeks after eating contaminated foods. The people at most risk from listeria are those who are pregnant, over 65 or have a compromised immune system.
According to the USDA, symptoms include:
- Fever
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Stiff neck
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Convulsions
- Diarrhea
- Other gastrointestinal symptoms
- Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery and/or life-threatening infection of newborn infants
- Death
What foods are most likely to be contaminated with listeria?
The foods most likely to develop listeria are:
- Unpasteurized soft cheeses
- Unheated cheeses sliced at a deli
- Unheated deli meat such as cold cuts, hot dogs and fermented or dried sausages
- Premade deli salads such as coleslaw and potato, tuna or chicken salad
- Refrigerated pate or meat spreads
- Refrigerated smoked fish
- Raw or lightly cooked sprouts
- Cut melon left out for more than two hours
- Cut melon in the refrigerator for more than a week
- Raw or unpasteurized milk, yogurt and ice cream
USA TODAY contributed to this report.
Tennessee
Tennessee releases availability update on star Nate Ament following injury
Tennessee star Nate Ament will miss a game against South Carolina on Tuesday, the program announced on Monday night. Ament was injured during a weekend contest against Alabama.
Ament was injured when he was rolled up on while going for a loose ball. His leg twisted awkwardly underneath him, and Ament immediately went to the locker room.
He would return briefly in the second half. Nate Ament even made a basket, but then he appeared to tweak his injury shortly after and returned to the bench. He did not re-enter the contest.
Tennessee issued a short statement on his availability against South Carolina. The program released the statement on Twitter.
“Nate Ament will not play tomorrow night at South Carolina,” Tennessee wrote. “Ament is out due to a right leg injury sustained Saturday against Alabama. The timetable for his return is to be determined and he will continue to be evaluated.”
A 6-foot-10, 207-pound freshman, Ament has been one of Tennessee’s best players all season. He is the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 17.4 points per game. He’s also the team’s leading rebounder, securing 6.4 rebounds per game.
Nate Ament signs NIL deal with Reebok
On3’s Nick Schultz recently published a list of some of the top brands to sign college basketball freshmen to NIL deals. Ament was one of the top signees.
In addition to Arkansas star Darius Acuff, Ament signed with Reebok this year. Ament was the crown jewel of Tennessee’s recruiting class. He signed with the brand in October 2024 while he was the No. 4 overall player from the 2025 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.
Nate Ament sits second on the Tennessee roster with 17.4 points per game, and his 6.4 rebounds on average leads the Vols. Additionally, his $1.3 million On3 NIL Valuation ranks No. 14 in college basketball and No. 56 in the On3 NIL 100.
On3’s Nick Schultz also contributed to this report.
Tennessee
Volunteers needed for community-wide cleanup day with Hands On Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — On Thursday, Hands On and NewsChannel 5 staff will come together for a community-wide cleanup day.
The event, sponsored by NewsChannel 5 will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 as we assist in winter storm cleanup.
If you’d like to help volunteer, you can sign up here.
Rhori, Carrie, Lelan and Brittany will all be helping assist residents removing and sorting debris.
Important details for those wishing to volunteer:
- This may require lifting and carrying objects that weigh 20+ pounds.
- Closed-toe shoes and long pants required. Heavy soles and steel toes preferred. Gloves and safety goggles will be provided, or you may bring your own.
- Current tetanus vaccination recommended. Chainsaws, utility crews, and heavy equipment will be active in the area.
- Volunteers under the age of 18 are prohibited from participating.
- Eat before you arrive and bring a water bottle, if needed.
Nashville’s Jefferson Street Sound Museum named stop on U.S. Civil Rights Trail
The Jefferson Street Sound Museum is a great little gem in North Nashville. The founder and curator turned his home into a museum to keep the legacy of historic Jefferson street alive. Now, it’s been named a stop on the U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Aaron Cantrell takes us inside.
– Lelan Statom
Tennessee
Vanderbilt women’s basketball beats Lady Vols for second-ever win in Knoxville
KNOXVILLE ― Vanderbilt women’s basketball won at Tennessee for only the second time in program history, beating the Lady Vols 87-77 at Food City Center on March 1.
The Commodores (27-3, 13-3) are the No. 2 seed in the SEC Tournament, which begins March 4 in Greenville, South Carolina.
The regular-season finale featured multiple runs by both teams. Tennessee went on an 8-0 run in the second quarter and took a six-point lead into halftime. Vanderbilt went on an 8-0 run to end the third quarter, then went a 10-0 run in the fourth to put the game away.
The Commodores, who shot 53% from the field, were led by Mikayla Blakes, who finished with 34 points. Aubrey Galvan had 24 points, four rebounds and five assists, and Sacha Washington had 16 points, eight rebounds and two assists.
“The season has been really special, to be able to end it here at Tennessee with a win and secure I think the No. 2 seed in the SEC tournament,” coach Shea Ralph said. “So the double bye, it feels really cool. I’m happy for the team, but we are literally just getting started.”
Tennessee (16-12, 8-8) outrebounded Vanderbilt 32-29. The Commodores shot 17-for-20 on layups and had 27 fast-break points. Tennessee was 10-for-24 on layups.
Vanderbilt’s SEC Tournament seed
The SEC Tournament will be held at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Vanderbilt will start play on March 6 and holds a bye into the quarterfinals, where it will play the No. 7 or No. 10 seed at approximately 5 p.m. CT.
Mikayla Blakes stats
Blakes put up another 30-point performance, her third straight and eighth in her past nine games. She added six rebounds and four assists, but also had six turnovers.
She made six 3-pointers, which ties her season high.
“She had 34 but her biggest buckets were when we had to happen,” Ralph said. “Her biggest moments in this game were when we had to happen. That kid shows up every time.”
Third straight rivalry win
Vanderbilt now has three straight wins over the Lady Vols, beating them last season in Nashville and once in the SEC Tournament.
“I think Tennessee is a great team,” Ralph said. “They will be for as long as women’s basketball exists. Playing here in front of this crowd is tough. It’s tough. So I was really proud of our team for being able to figure it out the second half and win, especially here at Tennessee.”
The Commodores have their most SEC wins in program history.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.
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