Listeriosis update: 199 dead so far
Gauteng reports the most fatalities
The death toll from listeriosis outbreak in South Africa is just one short of 200.
Of the 199 deaths recorded so far‚ 105 are in Gauteng‚ according to an update from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).
A total of 1 019 laboratoryconfirmed listeriosis cases have been reported to the NICD since January 1 2017.
Since the recall of implicated products on March 4‚ a total of 50 cases have been reported. Twenty-four (48%) were among neonates [babies under the age of 28 days] and three (6%) were among children age one month to 14 years old.
The NICD said cases could still be reported because the incubation period of listeriosis can be up to 70 days; the implicated products have a long shelf life and it is possible that despite the recall‚ some products have not been removed from retail or consumers’ homes; and cross-contamination at retail and in the home can occur.
On a positive note‚ the NICD said the number of cases of laboratory-confirmed listeriosis reported per week has decreased since the implicated products were recalled last month.
“Since week nine [March 5]‚ cases per week have dropped to fewer than 15/week‚ with eight cases reported in week 14‚” the status update reported.
Overall‚ most cases have been reported from Gauteng (59%‚ 579/1 019)‚ followed by Western Cape (13%‚ 127/1019) and KZN (7%‚ 73/1 019).
The listeriosis outbreak was declared by the Health Minister o Aaron Motsoaledi in December. The government identified the source of the outbreak as processed meat products such as polony.
However, an updated listeriosis emergency response plan has been developed and approved by the Health Department.
It is expected more details will be provided after a twoday meeting with stakeholders and World Health Organisation experts this week.
Meanwhile, the pork industry’s losses after the listeria outbreak have skyrocketed.
The consumers’ reaction to the outbreak has led to a drop in prices for pork products, while the prices of other meat products are on the rise‚ said Paul Makube‚ senior agricultural economist at FNB Agri-Business.
He said the pork industry had unnecessarily suffered a severe blow after the outbreak and added that the loss to the value chain so far could exceed R1-billion.