Listeria outbreak sickens at least 12 in New York

NEW YORK – At least a dozen cases of listeria have been reported across New York state in connection to a national outbreak linked to deli meat .

The state Health Department said four of those cases were in New York City, two were in Suffolk County and one was in Nassau County. The remaining five cases were located in Cayuga, Dutchess, Greene, Onondaga and Oswego counties.

All 12 patients had to be hospitalized. No deaths linked to the listeria outbreak have been reported in New York.

Two cases of listeria have been reported in New Jersey – one in Monmouth County and one in Passaic County. There has been one death reported in New Jersey.

There have not been any cases in Connecticut, so far.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the number of infected people is likely higher than what is being reported, as some people may be recovering without being tested or requiring medical attention.

Listeria outbreak linked to deli meat sickens dozens across United States

Thirty-four people in 13 states have been sickened across the United States since May 29.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all of the patients have been hospitalized, and two people have died – one in New Jersey and one in Illinois.

Friday, the CDC said of the 24 patients who had been interviewed, 23 reported eating meats sliced at deli counters, 13 reported eating deli-sliced liverwurst and seven said they had eaten Boar's Head brand products.

An unopened Boar's Head liverwurst product tested positive for listeria, the CDC said, prompting a recall of over 200,000 pounds of Boar's Head deli meat products, including liverwurst, ham, bologna, salami and bacon .

Stop & Shop temporarily closes delis due to listeria outbreak

All Stop & Shop locations, including those across the Tri-State Area, temporarily closed their delis Friday to remove the recalled products and conduct deep cleaning on equipment. The delis reopened Friday evening.

Stop & Shop said in a statement that out of an abundance of caution, they were also discarding all other open deli meats and cheeses that could have been sliced or prepared in the same area as the recalled products.

Any Stop & Shop customers who purchased a recalled product should throw it away and visit their local store for a full refund.

What is listeria?

Listeria are bacteria that can contaminate foods.

Doctors say anyone who has the recalled deli meat at home should clean any surfaces or containers the meat may have touched, as well as the refrigerator, to avoid cross-contamination.

Symptoms can occur up to two months after eating contaminated food and include gastrointestinal issues, headache, muscle ache or fever. Those who have been sickened can be treated with antibiotics, but those who are immunocompromised are at greater risk.

"They get severe disease, which can include what's called meningitis, an inflammation in the tissues around the brain, or the infection can go to the blood ... In those cases, patients become septic. They might end up in the ICU or the critical care unit and mortality will be very high," said said Dr. Mohamed Nakeshbandi, chief medical officer and infectious disease specialist at SUNY Downstate Medical Center.

Doctors also say heating meat to at least 165 degrees will kill listeria.