Listeriosis traced to Mass. dairy

BOSTON, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Massachusetts health officials say an outbreak of listeriosis that killed two elderly men has been traced to a small old-fashioned dairy.

Whittier Farms, based in Shrewsbury, has suspended production, The Boston Globe reported. It said it would notify its customers of the potential problem.

The dairy sells its milk at two stores and through home delivery in old-fashioned glass bottles in the Worcester area.

Dr. Alfred DeMaria, the state official in charge of communicable disease control, said two samples of Whittier milk tested positive for the listeria bacterium. He said the milk may have become contaminated after it was pasteurized, possibly during bottling or through the addition of flavoring.

"All we know is there's a link between the dairy and listeria," DeMaria said. "We've reached the point where that link is so strong we need to take action."

Four cases of listeriosis have been reported. The disease is especially dangerous to the elderly, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems or chronic medical conditions.