Getting to grips with
listeriosis
South Africa is grappling the largest listeriosis outbreak in the world according to the World Health
Organisation (WHO) and Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi. By 17 January 2018, the National
Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) had recorded 767 cases countrywide since the start of
2017 and of those, 81 confirmed deaths. To ensure that you don’t become part of these statistics,
we have compiled the following so you can protect you and your family against this foodborne
disease.
Listeriosis is a foodborne illness that is caused by the
Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. It can be very serious
for pregnant women and people with impaired immune
systems. The bacterium is widely distributed in nature
and can be found in soil, water and contaminated
food. Animals and food products, such as vegetables,
can become contaminated from these sources. The
listeria bacterium is highly resilient. It can survive in
temperatures as low as 4⁰C and as high as 42⁰C. Thus,
handling your food carefully is critical.
Who can get it?
Healthy people rarely become ill from listeria infection,
but the disease can be fatal to unborn babies and
newborns. People who have weakened immune systems
B-Living Issue 1, 2018
also are at higher risk of life-threatening complications.
Those at high risk of severe disease include the elderly,
pregnant women and people with serious chronic
conditions such as HIV, diabetes, cancer or chronic liver
and kidney disease.
Where does listeriosis come from?
Listeria bacteria can be found in soil, water and animal
faeces. Humans typically are infected by consuming
raw vegetables that have been contaminated from the
soil or from contaminated manure used as fertiliser,
eating contaminated meat or consuming unpasteurised
milk and milk products. Certain processed foods,
such as soft cheeses, hot dogs and deli meats, may
also be contaminated after processing. Thus, listeria
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