Why in news?

Two separate outbreaks of listeria, a bacteria that can contaminate food, have been reported recently in the United States and Canada.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an outbreak on July 19, affecting 12 states and linked to the consumption of undercooked meats sliced at deli counters. This outbreak has resulted in two deaths and 28 hospitalizations.

(The CDC says, when two or more people get the same illness from the same contaminated food or drink, the event is called a foodborne disease outbreak.)

In Canada, a public health notice on July 17 reported 12 cases of listeria, with two resulting in deaths. Both countries are responding to these outbreaks to prevent further spread of the infection.

What’s in today’s article?

• Listeria

Listeria

• About
  • Listeria or Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria found in soil, vegetation, water, sewage and even the faeces of animals and humans.
  • Listeria-contaminated food can lead to an infection called listeriosis.
• Symptoms of listeriosis
  • Most people who ingest listeria-infected food do not fall sick or develop symptoms.
  • The bacteria can be present in the infected person’s system for up to two months until the symptoms present themselves, making it difficult to establish the connection between what was consumed and the infection.
  • Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, cramps, severe headache, constipation and fever.
• Vulnerability
  • People with compromised immune systems, pregnant persons and their offspring and the elderly (aged 65 and above) are vulnerable.
  • The US outbreak has a median age of 75.
    • Listeria can result in hospitalisation and even death for the immunocompromised and the elderly.
  • Pregnant women are 10 times more likely to develop a listeria infection and risk pregnancy loss, premature birth or even life-threatening infection in the newborn.
  • Some foods are more likely to have listeria than others, including milk, raw sprouts, deli meats and hot dogs, soft cheeses and smoked seafood.
• Treatment for listeriosis
  • Treatment depends on the extent of the infection. In many cases, intestinal listeriosis manifests within a day or two of consuming the contaminated food item and may lead to diarrhoea and vomiting.
  • The treatment is similar to one for a routine stomach infection and could require antibiotics.
  • If the infection spreads beyond the intestines, it leads to invasive listeriosis. Severe symptoms present themselves two weeks after the food has been consumed.