Listeriosis: Extra caution required with newborns
The Department of Health has put the Listeriosis outbreak on high surveillance as 119 new cases have occurred since 5 December 2017 and 61 patients have died.
THE Department of Health has urged pregnant women to register on MomConnect to receive updates on Listeriosis as babies under 28 days old are the worst affected.
“When we view the statistics of affected people, we note that of all these vulnerable groups, neonates are the worst affected. If we analyse it by age group from birth to 93 years, neonates alone account for close to 40 per cent of these cases,” said Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.
Listeriosis is a serious but treatable and preventable disease caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The bacterium is found in soil, water and vegetation. Animal products and fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables can be contaminated from these sources.
The Department of Health has put the Listeriosis outbreak on high surveillance as 119 new cases have occurred since 5 December 2017 and 61 patients have passed on.
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The department said while Listeria can affect anybody from any socio-economic background, there are certain categories of people who are specifically vulnerable. These include neonates (babies less than four weeks old), pregnant women, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems such as people with HIV/Aids, diabetes and chronic diseases such as cancer, kidney and liver diseases.
“We are calling on more pregnant women to register on MomConnect, be they in private or public [health care], because it is during times like this when we are able to reach them quicker through messages. I have now given instruction that all of them be sent [messages] about Listeria,” Motsoaledi said.
The Minister also appealed to health workers to be extra vigilant when dealing with pregnant women.
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How to register on MomConnect:
Confirm your pregnancy at a health facility.
Dial *134*550# from your cell phone to register.
Answer a few simple questions about your pregnancy.
You will then be registered.
Pregnancy is registered in the national database.
User receives weekly SMS messages to inform them of their pregnancy and baby health (up to when the child is one-year-old).
Do you want to receive news alerts for the Durban North and uMhlanga via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (only) to 060 532 5532.
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