Deadly Listeria Outbreak In New York Linked To Deli Meat, Cheese

NEW YORK — One person died in Maryland and 16 people were sickened in a half dozen states, including seven in New York, in a listeria food poisoning outbreak linked to deli meat and cheese, U.S. health officials announced this week.

Most were hospitalized, and one illness resulted in a loss of pregnancy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

The affected states are New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois, New Jersey and California. The people who got sick were between the ages of 38 and 92.

Many who were sickened reported eating deli meats and cheeses, while some didn’t, leading CDC officials to believe the outbreak isn’t limited to NetCost Market locations in New York, where investigators found the bacteria that causes listeria.

The illnesses began in April, and the most recent report was on Sept. 29, the agency said.

“The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses,” according to the CDC website.

Listeria is a hardy germ that can be hard to get rid of, making it difficult for investigators to isolate a single food as a source of outbreak, especially in deli counters, where it can persist for a long time on display cases and equipment.

“A contaminated food likely introduced the outbreak strain of listeria into delis in multiple states,” the CDC said. “Investigators are working to identify any specific products or delis that may be contaminated with the outbreak strain.”

Eleven of those who fell ill are of Eastern European background or speak Russian, and investigators said they are trying to figure out why.

NetCost temporarily closed the deli at its store in the borough of Brooklyn last year after New York health officials notified the company that three people infected with listeria all ate food from there. After a deep cleaning, no listeria was detected. But in September, the outbreak strain was found at the same market.

NetCost did not immediately respond to an email for comment from The Associated Press.

Symptoms of listeria poisoning include fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhea. It is especially dangerous for the elderly, women who are pregnant and those with compromised immune systems.

Pregnant people usually experience only fever, fatigue and muscle aches, the agency said, but listeria can cause pregnancy loss or premature birth. It can also cause serious illness or death in newborns.

If you experience symptoms, call your health care provider. Symptoms among pregnant women may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, in addition to fever and muscle aches.

To reduce the risk of a listeria illness, don’t eat meats and cheeses from deli counters unless they've been reheated to 165 degrees Fahrenheit or until they are steaming hot, the CDC said. Also, clean refrigerators, containers and surfaces that may have touched meats and cheeses from delis.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.