Outbreaks, Recalls, and Investigations in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is reporting a significant increase in cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough, across Wisconsin. Data in the state, and nationally, shows that cases are now similar to pre-pandemic levels. To prevent the spread and protect against severe symptoms or hospitalization, DHS urges Wisconsinites to make sure they and their children are up to date on their pertussis vaccine, and to take other steps to stay healthy.

As of November 22, 2024, DHS has received reports of 1,887 confirmed cases of pertussis. Sixty-five counties have had at least one case since January 1, 2024. While the age of people diagnosed with pertussis range from 1 month to 90 years, half (50%) of cases are in individuals aged 11 to 18 years. Seventy-six infants have been identified with pertussis and 12 infants have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

What are the symptoms of pertussis?

At first, a person with whooping cough may seem like they have a cold. Early symptoms include:

• Low‐grade fever.
• Slight cough.

After about a week, the cough gets worse. The cough causes other symptoms, such as:

• Difficulty breathing.
• Needing to take a deep breath that makes a “whoop” sound.
• Vomiting.

Babies may not have a cough. Instead, they may stop breathing for several seconds, called apnea. Or they may look like they are gasping for air. Babies are at greatest risk for getting pertussis and then having serious complications from it, including death. That’s why it’s important that pregnant people and everyone around the baby are up to date with their pertussis vaccines.

What to do if you think you have pertussis

It is very important to treat whooping cough early. If you or someone you know experiences symptoms of pertussis, stay home and call your health care provider and follow their instructions. Severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, need immediate medical care.

How to stay protected against pertussis

The best way to prevent pertussis, or reduce the severity of symptoms, is to stay up to date on the recommended pertussis vaccination. People of all ages need the pertussis vaccine. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends different vaccines against pertussis for different age groups.

• Children should receive five doses of the DTap vaccine from age 2 months to 6 years.
• Adolescents from 11–12 years old should receive one dose of Tdap vaccine.
• Adults who have never had a pertussis vaccine should receive one dose of the Tdap vaccine.
• Pregnant people should receive Tdap between 27 to 36 weeks during each pregnancy to protect the newborn before they are old enough to get the DTap vaccine.

Wisconsin residents can find their immunization records using the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR). Instructions are available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. If you are unable to access your records, contact your doctor's office or your local health department.

For Wisconsin residents who do not have health insurance, or whose insurance may not cover vaccines, the Vaccines for Children and Vaccines for Adults programs may be able to help.

Taking the following daily actions can also help stop the spread of germs:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth.
• Stay home and away from others if you feel sick.
• Avoid being around others who are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and encourage children to do the same.

Visit the DHS Pertussis webpage for more information.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), along with the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP), local health departments, and federal partners, are working to investigate a multistate outbreak of Listeria infections linked to meats sliced at delis.

• As of September 25, 2024, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reported 59 illnesses in 19 states have been infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria. Fifty-nine people have been hospitalized and 10 deaths have been reported.
• Wisconsin has at least one laboratory-confirmed case linked to this outbreak.

Recall information

• Boar's Head Ready-to-Eat Liverwurst Products
  • Produced between June 11, 2024, and July 17, 2024, and have a 44-day shelf-life
  • "Boar's Head Strassburger Brand Liverwurst made in Virginia"
  • 5 pound loaves in plastic casing, or various weight packages and sliced in retail delis
  • Sell by dates range from July 25, 2024, to August 30, 2024
• Several other Boar's Head Deli Meat Products, including prepackaged deli products, have also been recalled
  • Contain establishment number "EST. 12612" or P-12612" inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels
  • Sell by dates ranging from July 29, 2024, to October 17, 2024
  • A full list and details of additional products can be found on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recall notice

About Listeria

Anyone can get sick with Listeria infection, but certain groups are at a higher risk of serious illness including:

• People who are pregnant: Listeria infection can cause pregnancy loss, premature birth, or a life-threatening infection in their newborn.
• People who are 65 years or older or who have a weakened immune system: Listeria infection often results in hospitalization and sometimes death.

Symptoms usually begin within two weeks after eating contaminated food but can start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after.

Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and tiredness. Also, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or seizures.

Advice for consumers

• Do not eat the recalled products. Throw them away or return them to where they were purchased.
• If you have any of these products in your refrigerator, you should clean surfaces where the products may have touched.
• If you have symptoms of Listeria infection, contact your health care provider right away.

Advice for retail delis

Retail delis should clean and sanitize all food and non-food surfaces. Any open meats and cheeses in the deli should be discarded.

Retailers should refer to USDA-FSIS Best Practices Guidance for Controlling Listeria for steps on how to prevent foods from becoming contaminated with Listeria.

See the USDA and CDC webpages for more information on this investigation, and to stay up to date on other foodborne outbreaks and recalls.

USDA: Boar’s Head Provisions Co. Recalls Ready-to-Eat Liverwurst and Other Deli Meat Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

USDA: Boar's Head Provisions Co. Expands Recall for Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

CDC: Listeria Outbreak Linked to Meats Sliced at Delis

CDC: Listeria (Listeriosis)

Recall information

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall announcement for Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, infused cones, and gummies. More information about the recall and a full list of recalled products can be found on the FDA webpage.

About the investigation

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and federal partners at the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating reports of severe illnesses associated with consuming Diamond Shruumz-brand chocolate bars, cones, and gummies. These products contain a proprietary blend of mushrooms and are sold online and at retailers nationwide.

On June 12, 2024, the CDC released a Health Advisory regarding reports of severe illness associated with Diamond Shruumz-brand products. As of August 2, 2024, a total of 113 illnesses associated with these products have been reported in 28 different states. Of the 113 people who became ill after eating these products, 42 were hospitalized. There have been two potentially associated deaths.

People who became ill from eating Diamond Shruumz-brand products reported a variety of severe symptoms including:

• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Sleepiness
• Abnormal heart rates
• High or low blood pressure
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Retailers should not sell or distribute any of these products and should hold the products until further direction is given by the FDA.

People who became ill after eating these products should talk to their health care provider or seek medical care if actively experiencing symptoms. Wisconsinites can also call the Wisconsin Poison Center at 800-222-1222 to report symptoms. Anyone who has previously purchased these items should check their homes for remaining products and throw them away if found.

Health care providers should have a high index of suspicion for severe illness in a person who recently reports consuming any of these products and presents with adverse effects. Health care providers may consult with a toxicologist by calling the Wisconsin Poison Center at 800-222-1222 and are asked to report compatible illnesses to the Wisconsin Poison Center or directly to the FDA by completing an online MedWatch Voluntary Reporting form.

The investigation into these illnesses is still ongoing by the FDA. Wisconsin residents can monitor updates about this recall on the FDA webpage.