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Listeria Infection

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Advice for avoiding contracting Listeria

What is it?

Infection by the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, causing listeriosis, is usually caused by eating contaminated food.

Am I at risk ?

For some healthy people, you will not even notice that you are infected, while others may require hospitalization. People at a higher risk are those weakened by illness such as cancer, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, the elderly, pregnant women, their unborn children, and new born babies. Listeriosis is relatively uncommon, though the fatality rate can be high among those at risk. Treatment is by antibiotics, and can be successful if started early.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include fever, headaches, tiredness, aches and pains. Less common symptoms are diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramps. These symptoms can occur anywhere between 3 and 70 days after eating contaminated food.

What if I am pregnant?

In pregnant women, listeriosis is usually only a mild illness, though it can affect the unborn child and cause miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.

Where is it found?

Listeria bacteria is commonly found in soil and sewage, and can also be found in foodstuffs such as raw meat, vegetables and some processed foods. Outbreaks have been caused by contamination of soft cheeses, milk, coleslaw, hot dogs and pate. You can reduce the risk of infection by avoiding the following high risk foods and by handling all food safely.

High Risk Foods

• smoked fish, mussels, oysters and raw seafood
• pre-prepared salads such as coleslaw and fruit salad
• drinks made form fresh fruit and vegetables where washing procedures are unknown
• pre-cooked meats such as pate, sliced processed meats such as ham and salami
• unpasteurized milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk
• soft serve ice creams
• soft cheeses such as brie, camembert, ricotta and feta (unless cooked)
• leftovers that have refrigerated for more than a day
• raw vegetable garnishes, and dips and salad dressings in which vegetables say have been dipped.

Related Pages

• Advice for safe food handling and storage