By RAY WYCHE
Staff Writer

A disease that attacks pregnant women and people with weak immune systems who have ingested food products made with unpasteurized milk has been reported in three North Carolina counties, and state and local health officials recommend avoiding such foods.

Listeria cases have been reported in Moore, Durham and Mecklenburg counties and all involve Latina women who were pregnant.

Kim Smith, director of the Columbus County Department of Health, said that listeria “is common among people who use unpasteurized milk.” No cases have been reported in the county, she added.

The state health department advises people to avoid foods containing unpasteurized milk. Raw vegetables should be thoroughly washed before eating and all food utensils used in preparing uncooked food should be cleaned.

Most prepared food using milk products is made from pasteurized milk but some soft cheeses or Mexican style cheeses use unpasteurized, or raw, milk and should be avoided, state health officials say.

Listeria begins with nausea and diarrhea and then spreads to the nervous system, causing stiff neck, loss of balance and convulsions.