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Listeria Outbreak in United States & Canada
Context:
Two separate outbreaks of listeria have been reported in the United States and Canada in recent weeks. The US government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) attributed it to the consumption of undercooked meats sliced at deli counters.
What is listeriosis?
- Listeria is a foodborne illness caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, which is commonly found in soil, groundwater, rotting vegetation, and animal faeces.
- Listeria-contaminated food can lead to an infection called listeriosis.
- The incubation period ranges from a few days to three months.
In what foods is listeria found?
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- Hot dogs, Deli meats, Fresh vegetables and fruits (especially melons), Unpasteurized dairy products,
- Listeria monocytogenes can survive and multiply in low temperatures, such as in refrigerators and freezers.
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Symptoms of Listeriosis:
- Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, cramps, severe headache, constipation, and fever.
- Symptoms may take up to two months to appear.
Vulnerable Groups:
- While anyone can get listeriosis, it is most dangerous for:
- Pregnant individuals and their developing fetuses
- People aged 65 or older
- Individuals with weakened immune systems (e.g., due to AIDS or cancer)
Is listeriosis contagious?
- Not person-to-person, except from a pregnant individual to the foetus.
- Treatment: Treatment varies with infection severity. Intestinal listeriosis often involves antibiotics. Invasive listeriosis requires more intensive treatment.
- Approximately 1,600 cases occur annually in the United States.
