Response teams mobilised and guidelines issued to tackle listeriosis
Outbreak response teams have been mobilised by the City of Johannesburg to educate residents on how to prevent the spread of the food-borne illness listeriosis. SA is experiencing a spike in cases of the illness‚ with 557 reported since January 1. At least 36 people have died this year‚ according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Most of the cases have been reported in Gauteng. Dr Mpho Phalatse‚ Joburg MMC for health and social development‚ urged residents to educate themselves on the types of foods that are most likely to contain the listeria bacteria, and which preventative measures to take‚ especially for pregnant women‚ the elderly and individuals with compromised immunity. Phalatse said it was important to check that the labels for dairy products‚ such as soft cheese‚ ice cream and yoghurt‚ say "made with pasteurised milk"‚ and if not, to avoid eating these products.
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