Listeria and Listeriosis Disease Outbreak

Source- This post on the Listeria Outbreaks in the US and Canada has been created based on the article “What to know about the Listeria outbreaks in the US and Canada” published in “Indian Express” on 26 July 2024.

Recently, two separate outbreaks of listeria have been reported in the United States and Canada, resulting in four deaths (two in each country) and several hospitalizations.

About Listeria and Listeriosis

i) About: Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria found in soil, water, vegetation, and animal feces, which can lead to an infection called listeriosis when ingested through contaminated food.

ii) Symptoms: Symptoms of listeriosis include vomiting, nausea, cramps, severe headache, constipation, and fever, and can appear up to two months after consuming the contaminated food.

iii) High-risk groups for listeriosis include immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and the elderly, with the median age in the US outbreak being 75.

iv) Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable, being 10 times more likely to develop a listeria infection, which can lead to pregnancy loss, premature birth, or life-threatening infection in newborns.

v) Treatment and Prevention: Treatment for listeriosis depends on the severity of the infection. Mild cases, where the bacteria remain in the intestines, may resolve with standard treatments for stomach infections, including antibiotics. However, if the infection spreads beyond the intestines, it leads to invasive listeriosis, presenting severe symptoms two weeks after consuming contaminated food.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology