Source of Listeriosis outbreak remains unknown
The incubation period can range from 6 hours to 70 days, poses a major challenge in determining the source of the outbreak.
THE Listeriosis outbreak in South Africa has claimed 172 lives and the source of the outbreak still remains unknown. In a statement on Thursday, the National Health Laboratory Service said Gauteng accounts for 59 per cent of reported cases, followed by the Western Cape with 12 per cent and KwaZulu-Natal with 7 per cent.
Listeria is a bacterium that is naturally found in the environment. It commonly occurs in soil, water, vegetation and in the faeces of some animals. It can contaminate a wide variety of food types, including meat and meat products, dairy products both unpasteurised and pasteurised, fresh and frozen produce and ready-to-eat products.
“This fact, coupled with a variable incubation period that can range from 6 hours to 70 days, poses a major challenge in determining the source of the outbreak,” said the National Health Laboratory Service.
It said various stakeholders, including numerous government departments, the healthcare sector, the veterinary public health sector, and the food industry are working around the clock to find the source of the outbreak.
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Specialised tests are being conducted by experts at the NICD laboratories to assist in detecting the source as soon as possible.
“Members of the public are urged to be vigilant all the time by observing the above guidelines, and to assist health authorities by spreading the message as widely as possible. Those in doubt must consult their nearest healthcare practitioners,” said the service.
The group of people is advised to avoid foods that have more commonly been linked to outbreaks of Listeriosis. These include processed, ready-to-eat meat products, soft cheeses, and unpasteurised milk and dairy products.
Processed, ready-to-eat meat products include viennas, polonies, russians, ham, other ‘cold’ meats, sausages, various corned meats, salami, pepperoni and similar products typically found in the processed meat sections of food retailers and butcheries. Such products must be avoided, or thoroughly cooked in boiling water or heated at high temperatures of 70°C or higher before eating.
Read also: Listeriosis: Extra caution required with newborns
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