Shoppers pass by empty deli cases on Friday Dec. 1, 2017 at the Navy commissary in Naples, Italy. A notice from Navy health officials is taped to the glass explaining that the main deli was temporarily shut down after an inspector found Listeria in a sandwich. (Scott Wyland/Stars and Stripes)
NAPLES, Italy — The Navy on Friday cleared the commissary deli at the Navy Support Activity in Naples to reopen after subsequent tests came back negative for Listeria nearly a week after the potentially harmful bacteria was detected in a prepared sandwich.
The inspector discovered Listeria during routine food testing on Saturday, and the deli was immediately shut down, Navy health officials said in a written statement.
Listeria is most likely to sicken pregnant women, newborn infants, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It is rare for people not in those groups, such as young adult males, to become ill, health officials said.
Still, officials advised everyone who ate a deli sandwich or meat between Nov. 13 and Nov. 25 to beware of symptoms, such as nausea, fever and muscle aches, which can take up to two months to appear.
Listeria outbreaks in the 1990s were mainly linked to meats but now are often attributed to contaminated cheese and produce, according to the CDC.
Those with questions can call the Naples base hospital at (+39) 081-811-6271 or (+39) 081-811-6000.
wyland.scott@stripes.com Twitter: @stripeswyland
