Contaminated chicken might have made its way to Bermuda.

The threat of potentially fatal disease contained in Oscar Meyer/Louis Rich chicken products here and in other countries prompted the recall, and all tainted meat products will be destroyed, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The recall totals more than 2.8 million pounds of chicken.

Concerns over the possibility that the poultry has been contaminated by something called Listeria monocytogenes surfaced earlier this week.

The alert affected chicken exported to Anguilla, Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Grenada, Netherlands Antilles, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and the British Virgin Islands.

Bermuda Department of Health officers are overseeing the destruction of several cases of fully cooked Oscar Meyer/Louis Rich chicken.

People should check their refrigerators for 6-ounce packages of Oscar Meyer/Louis Rich Chicken Breast Strips with the item numbers 55720 and 55721, authorities said.

The products should be returned to the place of purchase.

The USDA recall list identifies Oscar Meyer/Louis Rich chicken products with the number P-19676 and a use-by-date of 28 May 2007.

These include 6 ounce packages of Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Southwestern Seasoned; 6-ounce packages of Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Grilled; 6-ounce packages of Restaurant Style Breaded Chicken Breast Strips; 6-ounce packages of Breast Strips with Rib Meat Italian Style; 6-ounce packages of Oven Roasted Chicken Breast Cuts with Rib Meat; 6-ounce packages of Honey Roasted Chicken Breasts Cuts with Rib Meat; 12-ounce packages of Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Grilled; and 12-ounce packages of Chicken Breast Strips with Rib Meat Southwestern Seasoned.

The USDA notes that consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis - a rare but potentially fatal disease. The symptoms of listeriosis include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea.

In some cases it is fatal, authorities said.