ABC host issues 'horrifying' breaking news announcement as disease outbreak claims lives

ABC came to an unexpected halt for a major breaking news alert as presenter David Muir declared a tragic disease outbreak, which has already taken the lives of four people. On his World News Tonight program, the broadcaster told viewers that four people have succumbed to the disease, with a further 19 hospitalised following a listeria outbreak. The outbreak has so far affected 15 states in the US, including California, North Carolina, and Florida.

This isn't the first time in recent days that the veteran presenter has been forced to break the tragic news. The news anchor shared a video showing an ICE agent shoving a mother against a wall.

The horrifying incident happened whilst the woman was in front of her children, with the filmed agent now being suspended. Viewers were also left up in arms at Muir over another "insensitive" breaking news update.

But on Monday night (September 29), David warned viewers of the listeria outbreak, emphasising that the "death toll is rising". He explained that it is believed that the outbreak is "possibly linked to some chicken fettuccine alfredo and meatball linguine frozen dinners."

The meals were sold under the manufacturing names Market Side for the meatball dish and Fresh Realm for the chicken meal. David noted that these dinners are currently on sale at Walmart, Trader Joe's, and Kroger.

The dinners have now been recalled, with people who bought the meatballs being told to look out for 12-ounce trays with a "best if used by" date of September 22, 24, 25, 29, 30, and October 1, 2025.

Those who have purchased the fettuccine alfredo have, in turn, been told to look out for the meals with the "best if used by dates" of September 20, 24, and 27, 2025. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food issued an alert on Monday (September 29) warning consumers of the nationwide outbreak, following a death in the state.

The department have since released a statement, which read: "The actual number of illnesses may be higher than the number reported, as many cases may go unreported, and it can take three to four weeks to determine if an illness is part of an outbreak."

Listeria is particularly harmful to people over the age of 65, pregnant people, and anyone with a compromised or low immune system. People who are vulnerable to listeria have been advised to contact their health provider if they experience symptoms such as headaches, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions-as well as fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.

Meanwhile, pregnant people should contact a medical professional if they are experiencing a fever, muscle aches, and tiredness, because even a mild case of listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth, alongside serious illness or death in newborns. Symptoms usually start within two weeks of infection but can begin as early as the same day or up to 10 weeks later.