The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is warning consumers in Allegany County that raw milk from the Gerald E. Snyder Farm, may be contaminated with Listeria. Consumers who have purchased this milk should not drink it as Listeria can cause serious illness.
A sample of the milk, collected by an inspector from the farm located atRD#1, 1444 Randolph Rd., Alfred Station, tested positive Listeria monocytogenes. The farm is now prohibited from selling raw milk until further tests indicate it is free of Listeria.
Listeria monocytogenes is a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, seniors and those with weakened immune systems. Among pregnant women, Listeria can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.
Symptoms of an infection include high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Anyone who drank the milk and has these symptoms should see a doctor right away.