What is Listeria contamination?
What is Listeria contamination?
Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die.
How many people die each year from Listeria?
An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die. The infection is most likely to sicken pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems.
How to know if you have Listeria monocytogenes?
Pets can also spread the bacteria in the home environment if they eat food contaminated with L. monocytogenes. There are a range of symptoms for listeriosis. Depending on the severity of the illness, symptoms may last from days to several weeks. Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
What are the signs and symptoms of listeriosis?
If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions. For the very young, the elderly, and the immune-compromised listeriosis can result in death.
Who is most at risk for listeriosis infection?
Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. An estimated 1,600 people get listeriosis each year, and about 260 die. The infection is most likely to sicken pregnant women and their newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems.
How is a diagnosis of listeriosis made in a hospital?
The initial diagnosis of listeriosis is made based on clinical symptoms and detection of the bacteria in a smear from blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), meconium of newborns (or the fetus in abortion cases), as well as from faeces, vomitus, foods or animal feed.
What is the diagnosis and treatment of Listeria monocytogenes?
Diagnosis and Treatment. Language: Listeriosis is usually diagnosed when a bacterial culture (a type of laboratory test) grows Listeria monocytogenes from a body tissue or fluid, such as blood, spinal fluid, or the placenta. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics.
How long does it take for listeriosis to develop?
More severe forms of listeriosis may take anywhere from three days to three months to develop. Due to the range in severity of illness, people should consult their health care provider if they suspect that they have developed symptoms that resemble a (n) L. monocytogenes infection.
Why is listeriosis a major public health concern?
Although the number of cases of listeriosis is small, the high rate of death associated with this infection makes it a significant public health concern. Unlike many other common foodborne diseases causing bacteria, L. monocytogenes can survive and multiply at low temperatures usually found in refrigerators.
What foods have been linked to listeriosis in the past?
Past listeriosis outbreaks in the U.S. have been linked to raw, unpasteurized milks and cheeses, ice cream, raw or processed vegetables, raw or processed fruits, raw or undercooked poultry, sausages, hot dogs, deli meats, and raw or smoked fish and other seafood. L. monocytogenes has also been found in raw pet food.
What are the symptoms of invasive listeriosis in pregnant women?
Symptoms in people with invasive listeriosis, meaning the bacteria has spread beyond the gut, depend on whether the person is pregnant. Pregnant women: Pregnant women typically experience only fever and other flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue and muscle aches.
