Listeriosis Monocytogenes

Listeriosis Monocytogenes sounds like a mouthful doesn't it?
Well you don't need a mouthful of listeria bacterium to kill you as Canadians have found in the past week.

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A dozen deaths are now linked to the outbreak of a bacterial infection that prompted a nationwide recall of ready-to-eat meat, the Public Health Agency of Canada said yesterday.

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Maple Leaf Foods have shut a plant in Toronto, Ontario after an outbreak of this bacterial infection was linked back to their plant.
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"What is Listeria monocytogenes?
The bacterium which causes listeriosis in animals. It may also affect humans.
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What are the sources for human infection?
Soft cheese, ready-made salads, improperly cooked meats, direct contact with an infected animal.
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How does it get into food?
The bacterium is found in soil and water. Vegetables can become contaminated from the soil or from manure as fertilizer. It has been found in raw foods, such as uncooked meats, as well as processed foods that become contaminated after processing, such as cold cuts at the deli counter. Listeria is killed by pasteurization and cooking.
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What are the symptoms?
Fever, aches and pains, sore throat, abdominal pain. If infection spreads to the nervous system, symptoms such as stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions can occur. Symptoms appear within two to 30 days and up to 90 days after consuming contaminated food. Some infections result in death.
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Who is at risk?
The elderly, pregnant women, newborn babies, those with weakened immune systems are most at risk. Healthy adults and children occasionally get infected, but they rarely become seriously ill.
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How is it diagnosed and treated?
It is diagnosed by blood and urine tests. Treatment is with antibiotic drugs. There is no vaccine to prevent listeriosis.
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Minimizing your risk:
Frequently wash and disinfect the refrigerator.
Keep leftovers for a maximum of four days only.
Refrigerate or freeze perishable food, prepared food and leftovers within two hours.
Check the temperature in your refrigerator to make sure it is at 4C or colder.
Cook or boil foods such as hot dogs and poultry products until they are steaming hot.
Wash hands, knives and cutting boards after handling uncooked foods."
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Sources: Canadian Medical Association, Health Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, CDC
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The CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) recall notices with a link to a list of all the recalled meat can be found here.
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Bear((( )))