Govt’s action on disease laudable

We humans tend to regard ourselves as the rulers of all we survey … specifically planet Earth which has, over the centuries, been tamed by us and the thing we have that other animals do not – technology. While communications and transport technology tend to come to mind when you think of technological progress – and they’ve made the world a much smaller place – it is in medicine and health where humankind’s endeavours have been most beneficial for itself.

Today, as we are on the verge of entering the third decade of the 21st century, humans live longer – and better – than they have done in history. That’s why it’s so stunning to realise that simple bacteria – the ones causing the disease listeriosis – can threaten to kill us.

Government is so worried about this spreading epidemic, which has already claimed 61 lives, that it has declared listeriosis a notifiable disease. This should help the medical detectives in tracking down the sources of the contaminations which have led to hundreds of people being infected across South Africa in the past few months.

We commend government for having taken this step because, make no mistake, listeriosis is a killer, with a death rate of between 20% and 25%. That means scores of people, currently infected, could die.

We urge everybody, but especially vulnerable groups like the elderly and Aids sufferers who have compromised immune systems, as well as pregnant mothers and those with babies to learn how to prevent the spread of the bacteria, what foods to steer clear of and how to maintain hygiene.

The unfolding slow-motion tragedy is a reminder, too, not to take anything for granted, least of all food and standards of hygiene. Rather be ultrafussy than sorry …