At least 36 dead from Listeria outbreak in SA
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi made the announcement a short while ago in Cape Town.
CAPE TOWN - Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says 36 people have died following an outbreak of Listeria in South Africa.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Motsoaledi said a total of 557 lab-confirmed Listeriosis cases have been reported.
The majority of these cases have been reported in Gauteng, followed by the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
Motsoaledi says the bacteria is widely distributed in nature and can be found in soil, water and vegetation.
He explained that Listeriosis is a serious, but treatable and preventable disease caused by the bacterium Listeria Monocytogenes.
Animal products and fresh produce can be contaminated.
Motsoaledi says babies are most vulnerable as well as people aged between 15 and 49. About 70% of the cases have been confirmed in these groups.
#Listeriosis Motsoaledi says out of the 557 cases they're certain of the final outcome for 70 cases. Of these 70 cases that have been traced, 36 people have died following the Listeriosis outbreak in SA. SF
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) December 5, 2017
(Edited by Shimoney Regter)
