Zululand areas still free of listeriosis

WHILE the Department of Health continues to investigate the source of the food-borne disease listeriosis which has claimed 37 lives, no cases have yet been reported in the Zululand and uMkhanyakude districts.

A total of 557 laboratory-confirmed listeriosis cases have been reported from all provinces, with KwaZulu-Natal making up 7% of that number.

King Cetshwayo District has reported two cases.

ALSO READ: Pretoria woman dies of listeriosis

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi recently announced that ‘of the 557 confirmed cases, 34% were from private health facilities and 66% from public health facilities.’

‘Given that only 17% of South Africans use private health facilities, this proportion of cases from private facilities is too high,’ Motsoaledi said.

‘This indicates that the source of the outbreak is likely to be a food product that is widely distributed and consumed by people across all socio-economic groups.’

Although anyone can get listeriosis, those at high risk include newborns, the elderly, pregnant women, persons with weak immunity such as HIV, diabetes, cancer, or chronic liver or kidney diseases.

The treatable and preventable disease caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes can be found in soil, water and vegetation.

Animal products and fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables can be contaminated from these sources.

Five keys to food safety

• Keep clean. Wash your hands before handling food and often during food preparation.

• If you are handling or storing raw food, do not touch already cooked food unless you have thoroughly washed your hands and food preparation utensils.

• Cook food thoroughly, never eat half cooked or uncooked food, especially meat products.

• Keep food at safe temperatures.

• Use safe water for domestic use at all times and use pasteurised milk products.

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