Listeriosis

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Published on Friday, 16 September 2011 22:02

Written by Administrator

Listeriosis

This is a rare illness that is caused by eating food that is contaminated with bacteria called Listeria monocytogens. Pregnant women and their unborn babies, newborn babies, the elderly and anyone who has a suppressed immune system.
It is usually transmitted to humans through contaminated food, some outbreaks have been linked to soft cheeses and precooked meat products like pate and deli meat.

Listeria may also be found in raw meat, raw vegetables, non-pasteurized milk and 'ready-to-eat' foods, such as diced chicken, oysters, smoked fish and smoked mussels.  Also soft serve ice creams have been identified as a potential source. Because listeriosis can grow and multiply at temperatures as low as 0.5° Celsius (or 32.9° Fahrenheit), refrigerating these foods does not always help. Cooking contaminated foods at high temperatures will kill the bacteria.

Prepare foods such as fruit salads, green salads and vegetable dishes shortly before eating. Eat well washed, freshly prepared fruit and vegetables in preference to fruit and vegetable dishes that have been prepared in advance and stored chilled for long periods. Storing food in cold shelves does not prevent growth because Listeria will grow at refrigeration temperatures. Try to avoid stored food, as it is impossible to know by appearance, smell or taste whether food is contaminated.

The incubation period is roughly three weeks. The infection can cause meningitis, septicaemia and also miscarriage.  The symptoms can be: muscle aches, fever, nausea and vomiting. In more severe cases collapse and shock can occur.  Headache, stiff neck, confusion and loss of balance are a sign that the infection is in the central nervous system. The majority of cases of listeriosis are so mild that they are thought to be just a mild viral infection or flu.

Listeria can cause premature rupture of the membranes, premature delivery and miscarriage.