More listeria cases likely

Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi expects infections from the worst listeria outbreak in history, which has killed more than 180 people since January last year, to increase and warned there could also be cases in the southern Africa region.

Government, which has been criticised for taking too long to find the cause, has linked the outbreak to Enterprise polony made by Tiger Brands.

The disease causes flu-like symptoms, nausea, diarrhoea and infection of the blood and brain. “We are just at the beginning and we must expect other cases to emerge,” Motsoaledi said.

Motsoaledi, who has met with health ministers from the southern African region, also said he expected more cases of the outbreak to be reported in the region.

Namibia’s health minister said on Tuesday the country had now recorded its first case of listeriosis and the victim was fighting for his life in hospital in the nation’s capital.

Namibia and several other nations have suspended imports of processed meat from South Africa after the outbreak was linked to the Enterprise factory that makes polony.

Motsoaledi said government would give information to anyone intending court action over the outbreak.

A human rights lawyer plans to launch a class action lawsuit against Tiger Brands on behalf of the families of people who died after health authorities confirmed the presence of listeria at its factory in the northern city of Polokwane.

Tiger Brands has said it appointed an expert team to identify the causes of the listeria outbreak traced to one of its factories. –

We are just at the beginning and we must expect other cases to emerge. Aaron Motsoaledi Health minister