Listeriosis – Wash, cook and heat more

Article regards of our sister publication, North Coast Courier.

So far 61 people have died from the virus.

Listeriosis typically affects the age group between 15 and 49 as well as pregnant women, newborns (first 28 days of life) and people with weak immunity who have HIV, diabetes, cancer, chronic liver or kidney disease and transplant recipients.

The symptoms of listeriorsis are quite broad and can include anything from fever, muscle pain, malaise and sometimes nausea or diarrhea.

Follow these prevention tips:

1. Ensure you wash all raw fruits and vegetables before eating.

2. Listeria bacteria are killed by cooking and pasteurisation, so avoid unpasteurised milk and ensure that you cook meat thoroughly. Keep uncooked meats separate from vegetables and from cooked or ready-to-eat foods.

3. Eat perishable and ready-to-eat foods as soon as possible.

4. For those people who are at an increased risk, it is recommended to avoid hot dogs or deli meats, unless they are reheated until steaming hot, as well as soft cheeses such as feta, brie, camembert and blue cheese and refrigerated, smoked seafood.