foodborne illness: Listeriosis

Listeria monocytogenes , which can cause septicemia, meningitis,

and stillbirth, kills up to one-third of the people infected and most often results from unsanitary commercial processing of dairy, poultry, and meat productsincluding pizza toppings.-Redmond,WA
multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections with 46 culture-confirmed cases, seven deaths, and three stillbirths or miscarriages in eight states was linked to eating sliced turkey deli meat. One intact food product and 25 environmental samples from a poultry processing plant yielded L. monocytogenes. Two environmental isolates from floor drains were indistinguishable from that of outbreak patient isolates, suggesting that the plant might be the source of the outbreak. A Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes is the agent of listeriosis, a serious infection caused by eating food contaminated with the bacteria. Listeriosis has been recognized as an important public health problem in the United States. The disease affects primarily pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of Listeriosis generally occur two to thirty days after ingestion of L. monocytogenes. In some instances it may even take ninety days before symptoms occur. The main symptoms are: a) nausea and vomiting b) abdominal cramps; c) diarrhea or constipation; d) headache and permanent fever.Soft cheeses (e.g. camembert, feta), refrigerated pts, cold smoked fish, raw vegetables are food products that are associated with L. In 2002, a

monocytogenes.

To prevent Listeriosis,we

must be aware of what we are eating. Make sure foods like hotdogs and poultry are sufficiently heated; Do not drink raw milk and do not eat products made from raw milk. Wash raw vegetables thoroughly before consumption; If there leftovers, cool rapidly and store them only for a short period of time.Wash hands frequently before and during the preparation of foods. Always observe the best before date and the recommended storage temperature of all refrigerated products.
References: (N.A.) The Food Safety File: Listeria monocytogenesis Retrieved from http://www.fooddoctors.com/FSF/L.%20monocytogenes.html "Food-borne Illness." Microsoft Encarta 2007 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2006.

Delica, Kimberly M. | 2010-40034 NASC 9-X