With over 1,000 people infected and 180 people dead in the past year and now, South Africa has recorded the highest Listeria mortality in the world.

Well, it took the South African government at least a year to identify the potential cause of this deadly outbreak that has killed 180 people in the Country.

This is what Nigerians should know about the outbreak of the killer condition.

Listeria is a form of food poisoning caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This bacterium can survive with or without Oxygen, which makes it an extremely adaptable pathogen when in contact with your food.

Symptoms of listeria include fever, muscle aches, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, if this infection spreads to a sufferer’s nervous system then symptoms like a headache, loss of balance, confusion, stiff neck, and convulsion can occur.

Since its outbreak in South Africa, the South African Government has banned the eating and purchasing of process meat and sausages.

South African neighboring countries like Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana, and Zambia have also followed suit, they are all ordering a recall or suspending imports of potential threat products.

The outbreak in South Africa is referred to as the most fatal in the world. Despite speculations linking the outbreak to Polony a sausage manufactured in the northern city of Polokwane Limpopo, the chief executive of Tiger Brands, owners of the Enterprise have still insisted that there has been no direct link between there product and the 180 death cases recorded since January 2017, following the announcement by South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi on Sunday.

The Minister, however, confirmed that Polony was a definite source for the outbreak and has warned that pregnant women, elderly people and those with the weakened system should stay clear processed meat.

Nigerians do not purchase this product or a few other product marked as potential sources of harm, but it is important to take personal safety measures like bagging your raw meat, poultry, or fish separately from other food items.

Cook, refrigerate, or freeze your meat, poultry, eggs, fish, and ready-to-eat foods. Also, make sure your refrigerator is set at 40°F (4°C) or colder. Be careful to always keep your refrigerator clean because listeria can grow in it.

If you consider keeping your food hot then make sure the temperature is averaged at 140°F or 60° C.

Your health is important to keep an eye on what you consume and how you consume it.

Source: https://www.askifa.ng/what-nigerians-should-know-about-listeria/

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