South Africa: Over 550 cases of listeriosis in 2017

Event

South Africa's Ministry of Health announced that as of Wednesday, November 29, 557 listeriosis cases and 39 related deaths had been recorded thus far in 2017. The majority of those affected were located in Gauteng province. Officials have not yet located the cause of the outbreak.

Context

Listeriosis is caused by the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, typically contracted via the consumption of contaminated food or water, and can lead to meningitis or encephalitis. Symptoms of listeriosis include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea (with or without blood), fever, abdominal pain, headache, and body aches. If caught early enough, listeria infections can be treated with antibiotics. Newborns, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems are most at risk of infection.

Advice

Individuals present in South Africa are advised to seek medical attention if presenting the above symptoms. To minimize the risk of contracting the illness, individuals are advised to thoroughly cook all meat and fish; thoroughly clean all fruits and vegetables before consumption; immediately wash hands and utensils (knives, cutting boards, etc.) that have come into contact with raw or frozen foods; and avoid drinking unpasteurized (raw) milk and milk products (yogurt, cheese).