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What is listeria infection? bacteria

Listeria infection (also known as listeriosis) is uncommon but it can cause death in at-risk people, such as the elderly and people whose are not working properly. and their unborn babies.

Early symptoms of listeria include: aches and pain

These can lead to more serious problems, including: septicaemia (blood poisoning). Listeria infection can have severe consequences for pregnant women and their developing and newborn babies. Even a mild listeria infection can cause: a baby who is very ill when born.

People at high risk of listeria infection include:

  • patients. Early use of antibiotics can help in the treatment of listeria infection
  • but prevention is best. bacteria are common throughout the environment
  • including in soil water
  • the digestive systems of animals

Unlike many bacteria, they can continue to multiply under refrigeration temperatures. Refrigerated foods can become contaminated with the bacteria, which can then grow to dangerous levels under certain conditions. include:

  • foods that are eaten without any further treatment such as cooking that would kill the bacteria
  • should be avoided by at-risk people
  • including pregnant women: raw fruit
  • herbs where washing procedures are unknown
  • including raw vegetable
  • herb garnishes ready-to-eat seafood that will not be further cooked – including smoked seafood (such as fish
  • mussels oysters)
  • raw seafood (such as sashimi
  • sushi oysters)
  • cooked/chilled seafood (such as peeled prawns) pre-prepared
  • pre-cut
  • or pre-packaged fruits
  • vegetables – including those available from greengrocers
  • supermarkets buffets
  • salad bars
  • sandwich bars drinks made from fresh or frozen fruit
  • vegetables where washing procedures are unknown
  • such as juices
  • smoothies (excluding pasteurised or canned juices) cold meat products eaten without further cooking or heating
  • as commonly found in delis
  • sandwich shops or pre-packaged in supermarkets – such as pate
  • ham salami
  • processed/fermented meat products
  • cold pre-cooked chicken ready-to-eat foods – including leftover meats
  • which have been refrigerated for more than one day
  • will not be further reheated/cooked
  • you should take care to: before preparing food
  • between handling raw food
  • ready-to-eat foods

Wash raw fruit and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating.

, thoroughly. Don’t use the same boards and knives for cooked foods that you used for raw foods unless they have been washed in warm, soapy water and dried. Defrost food by placing it on the lower shelves of the fridge or use a microwave.

Always follow advice on food labels

Cooking foods before eating them can kill certain bacteria, including , you should: Keep food covered. Place cooked food in the fridge within one hour of cooking. Put raw meat, poultry and fish below cooked or ready-to-eat food in the fridge to prevent drips that could contaminate pre-prepared food.

Do not use refrigerated foods beyond their use-by dates.

Keep your fridge clean

Follow these tips on food temperatures: Your fridge temperature should be below 5 °C. Keep hot foods hot (above 60 °C) and cold foods cold (at, or below, 5 °C). Reheat food until the internal temperature of the food is piping hot.

Ensure microwaved food reaches the desired temperature throughout before eating. Listeria infection is an illness usually caused by eating foods contaminated by the Listeria monocytogenes immune systems It is also a serious illness in pregnant women Symptoms of listeria infection range from mild to severe fever headache tiredness meningitis (brain infection) Listeria infection in pregnant women miscarriage stillbirth premature birth Other people who are at high risk of listeria infection the elderly people whose immune system is weakened by illnesses like cancer , liver or kidney disease and diabetes people on medications like prednisone or cortisone.

This includes organ transplant Listeria infection can be treated with antibiotics, but prevention is best Listeria high-risk foods Listeria Foods most commonly associated with Listeria foods with a long shelf-life that are kept under refrigeration The following foods are considered high-risk for Listeria unpasteurised milk or foods made from unpasteurised milk soft-serve ice-creams soft cheeses – such as brie, camembert, ricotta, blue-vein, and feta refrigerated ready to eat dips – such as hummus, pesto, guacamole and tahini raw or lightly cooked sprouts – including green sprouts like alfalfa and bean sprouts sandwiches containing any of the high-risk ingredients mentioned above Hints for handling and preparing food When you handle and prepare food Wash and dry your hands well Cook all foods of animal origin, including eggs Listeria Store food with care When you store food Food temperatures Where to get help In an emergency, always call 911 Your GP (doctor) NURSE-ON-CALL (616) 555-0400 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days) Food Safety Hotline (616) 555-0400 Food Standards United States New Zealand (616) 555-0100.

Key Points

  • Early symptoms of listeria include: aches and pain
  • Even a mild listeria infection can cause: a baby who is very ill when born
  • People at high risk of listeria infection include: patients
  • Early use of antibiotics can help in the treatment of listeria infection, but prevention is best
  • bacteria are common throughout the environment, including in soil, water and the digestive systems of animals