Boar's Head closing Virginia plant after listeria outbreak

Boar's Head is closing the Virginia plant that produced deli meat products tied to a deadly listeria outbreak. 

At least nine people have died after being infected with listeria from Boar's Head deli meats tied to a massive recall in July.

The company will also permanently discontinue sales of liverwurst after an investigation found its production process was the root cause of the contamination. 

Many illnesses caused by food poisoning are short-lived, but listeria infections can have devastating effects.

Listeria infections are caused by a hardy type of bacteria that can survive and even thrive during refrigeration. An estimated 1,600 people get listeria food poisoning each year and about 260 die, according to the CDC. Infections can be hard to pinpoint because symptoms may occur quickly — or up to 10 weeks after eating contaminated food.

The company will also appoint a new food safety officer and food safety council.