Listeriosis

Listeriosis is a serious infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It is mainly acquired through the ingestion of food contaminated with the bacteria. Listeriosis is a significant public health concern due to its serious clinical presentations, including meningitis and sepsis, and its high mortality rate. Treatment options are limited as the bacteria is hard to identify and can be resistant to antibiotics. The best way to prevent listeriosis is to observe proper food safety practices such as ensuring that food products are handled, prepared and stored hygienically; avoiding the consumption of high-risk foods, such as raw vegetables, unpasteurized dairy products, and ready-to-eat products; washing hands thoroughly before and after preparing food; and keeping refrigerated food at the right temperature. Awareness of the risk of listeriosis and the need to practice safe food handling is essential in helping to reduce the number of listeriosis cases.