The three Central New York women who were hospitalized with listeriosis in the previous two weeks didn't get it from eating recalled tuna.
“That was a dead end,†Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Cynthia Morrow said of the investigation into what contaminated food product is to blame for the sometimes-fatal bacterial infections. Dr. Morrow said she expects to learn later this week whether the three women are infected with the same strain of listeria.
People can become infected with the bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes, from eating contaminated foods such as meat, unpasteurized dairy products or raw produce.
Dr. Morrow said the conditions are improving in the Onondaga County residents who are recovering from listeriosis. They are unrelated women ages 48, 70 and 77.
Investigators at first thought the three women may have consumed tuna that was recalled in June because of listeria contamination, but that was found not to be true. So far, investigators have found no link among the women, such as eating the same food items or at the same location.