New Yorkers are Infected with a Potentially-Fatal Disease, But Should You Worry?

Unfortunately, we have another outbreak on our hands in New York.

No, this isn't about COVID-19, nor is it about polio, or anything else that you've seen in the news recently. The most recent story of a minor outbreak hitting the Empire State, has to do with the bacterial infection known as listeria.

Cases have popped up in New York, and we have the latest in order to keep you safe.

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Listeria Outbreak Infects Seven in New York, But What Caused It?

A story from ABC News 10 in Albany, New York detailed the bizarre outbreak of listeria that's currently taking place in New York.

From the CDC, Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die.

This time around, it's been determined that bad deli meats and cheeses were being sold to consumers, and those that ate the deli items were susceptible to the bacteria. Sixteen total cases have been reported in recent days around the country, with New York and Maryland (13 hospitalizations) seeing the biggest spikes.

The strain of listeria in question was found in the following locations:

• Open packages of sliced deli meats at a NetCost Market in Brooklyn
• Open package of sliced salami at m a NetCost Market in Staten Island

So, it appears as though the outbreak is contained to Downstate for the time being, but it still serves as a reminder to be careful about the food products you buy, and where they're coming from. The more diligent we are with buying food that's safe to eat, the better.

That's usually a good rule of thumb, as obvious as it may seem.

That said, if you do happen to eat something that makes you feel strange, and begin to experience fever, flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches and fatigue, headaches, a stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance or especially seizures, it's probably best that you call a doctor of some kind.

We've dealt with enough outbreaks and viruses to last us all a lifetime. Be careful out there, so you don't have to deal with another.