Listeriosis: CoJ activates Outbreak Response Teams

After the confirmation of more than 30 deaths in Gauteng due to listeriosis, the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) has activated Outbreak Response Teams in all seven regions.

“These teams will help by educating the public on how to prevent the spread of the disease,” said the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Health and Social Development, councillor Mpho Phalatse.

Listeriosis is a food-borne illness associated with eating a wide variety of food that is contaminated with Listeria monocytogens, including dairy products and produce, fresh vegetables and fruit, as well as ready-to-eat products.

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NCID), 557 cases of listeriosis have been reported in South Africa since 1 January this year, with 345 of them being in Gauteng. Of these 345 cases, 172 were reported from the CoJ and eight per cent of them resulted in death.

The incubation period – after being infected – varies from three to 70 days. Symptoms are usually mild and may include fever, muscle pain, restlessness and sometimes nausea or diarrhea. The average, healthy adult infected with this disease is usually asymptomatic, i.e. shows no symptoms.

The disease primarily affects pregnant women, newborn babies, adults aged 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems. “The spread of the disease to the nervous systems in high-risk patients may cause meningitis, leading to headaches, stiff neck, loss of balance or convulsions.

There may also be bacteria in the blood – also known as bacteraemia,” the MMC said.

She urged residents to educate themselves on the foods that may contain listeria, and the preventative measures to take to ensure they stay healthy. “It is important to always check the labels on dairy products, such as soft cheese, ice cream and yoghurt. If the label does not state that the product is made with pasteurised milk, you should avoid eating it,” she said.

Director of Public Health in the CoJ, Baskie Desai, said that while listeriosis was a laboratory diagnosis, his unit would work closely with the National Health Department while continuing to educate the community on what steps they should take to avoid getting infected. “We have activated our environmental health outbreak units to monitor all our food outlets and also assist in educating communities on what steps to take to remain safe. It is important to tell our people to always take precautionary measures and to avoid certain foods that might cause listeriosis if not prepared accordingly.”

To prevent infection, and the spread of this disease, the following should always be remembered:

· Only use pasteurised dairy products· Ensure raw food from animal sources, such as beef, pork or poultry is thoroughly cooked

· Always wash your hands before preparing food, eating and after going to the toilet

· Wash and decontaminate kitchen surfaces and utensils regularly, particularly after preparing raw meat, poultry and eggs (including industrial kitchens)

· Wash raw vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating

· Keep food clean

· Separate raw and cooked food

· Keep food at safe temperatures

• Use safe water and raw materials

Those at high risk of listeriosis should avoid the following foods:

· Raw or unpasteurised milk, or dairy products that contain unpasteurised milk

· Soft cheeses like feta, goat or brie

· Foods from delicatessen counters like prepared salads or cold meats that have not been heated/reheated adequately

· Refrigerated pâtés

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