Listeriosis fight needs all of us

The outbreak of listeriosis a few months ago and yesterday’s announcement by Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi that authorities are urging the public to stay clear of processed meat products have the potential to cause unnecessary panic if handled improperly.

Motsoaledi announced that investigations into the outbreak has zeroed in on the source of a specific strain of listeriosis at the Enterprise factory in Polokwane, Limpopo.

He announced that more than 16 environmental samples from the factory had tested positive for the strain of the disease faulted with the death of 27% of patients affected country-wide thus far.

At least 180 deaths have been attributed to the outbreak, which Professor Lucia Anelich of the Anelich Consulting Food Solutions labelled as the “worst outbreak in global history”.

Mindful of the risk of triggering panic, we still view such statements as necessary to help drive home the point that this is no minor irritation the nation can simply sweep under the carpet in the hope that it would go away.

Although commendable, the steps taken by the government may be seen as nearly not good enough under the weight of the deaths recorded. Chances are there could well have been other fatalities that might have slipped through the net.

It doesn’t help the cause to halt this killer disease in its tracks that it is stubbornly difficult to detect. Experts warn that even two slices from one unit of processed meat can yield contrasting results when tested – with one testing positive and the other cleared.

It is the more reason the fight against this outbreak should be treated like an all-out war involving all. The government’s message should not just be confined to press statements and conferences. It needs to send the message out to the public with nauseating regularity so as to maximise its impact: “Avoid all processed foods sold as ready-toeat products.”

Education, education and more education is the only way to pull us out of this rut. An informed populace will feel empowered and naturally do what is required of them to help stem the threat once and for all. Motsoaledi, and possibly other prominent figures, need to be out there spreading the message.