adminThe Ministry of Health and Child Care wishes to notify the public that the South African health authorities have reported an outbreak of listeriosis since 13 January 2018.
The outbreak has so far affected a total of 948 people 180 who unfortunately died. The South African Department of Health authorities have managed to trace the source of the disease to an Enterprise Food Production facility in Polokwane (Tiger brands). The bacteria have been isolated in polony from this company. Zimbabwe has not recorded any case of listeriosis so far.
The Disease Overview
Listeriosis is a rare food borne disease occurring in about 10 per 1 million people globally and is transmitted through the consumption of foods that are contaminated by the bacteria listeria monocytogenes. These high risk foods include: ready-to-eat meat products such as cooked, cured and/or fermented meats and sausages; soft cheese and cold smoked fishery products; and dairy products made of unpasteurised milk. The disease can also be spread from person to person by sharing food or through contact.
Signs and symptoms
When one is infected, the disease takes a few days to weeks generally up to 2 weeks to start showing symptoms. Pregnant women, infants, the elderly and those with a suppressed immune system are at higher risk of getting the disease. Signs and symptoms of the disease are:
Diarrhoea,
High fever > 38°
Headache,
Myalgia (muscle pain),
Complications such as septicaemia and meningitis and
High mortality rate (20 percent–30 percent)
How one can avoid contracting the disease
People can avoid contracting the disease by practising the five keys to safer foods which are; kept clean; separate raw and cooked foods; cook food thoroughly; keep food at safe temperatures and use safe water and raw materials.
Measures put in place by
Ministry of Health and Child Care to prevent importation of the disease
The following are measures that the Ministry of Health and Child Care has taken to minimise the introduction and spread of the disease in Zimbabwe:
Cross border collaboration and sharing of information on the disease outbreak with our neighbour South Africa is being strengthened in line with International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and the Public Health Act 15:09.
Stricter monitoring of refrigerated ready to eat foods coming into the country at the border posts to make sure that they are not coming from the identified brands and source.
Inspection of all food outlets, shops and repackaging companies across the country through the Environmental Health departments from the Ministry of Health and Child Care and Local Authorities.
Health screening of travellers from risky areas at ports of entry.
Strict hygiene control measures of the environment where food is being manufactured and stored.
Carrying out health education and promotion through print and electronic media to ensure the population is aware of the risks and measures to take to avoid being infected.
Warning to the general public
Meanwhile people should desist from bringing into the country ready to eat processed meats such as sausages, polony, viennas, ham, meat spread, corned meat, salami and pepperoni from the identified source of the disease outbreak into the country. Ministry of Health and Child Care staff at the borders will be monitoring movements of such food items to make sure that the disease is not introduced into the country.
Anyone who suspects they may have the disease should visit the nearest health facility for diagnosis and treatment.
For more information you may contact Dr Isaac Phiri (Outbreak Response Focal Point) on +263 772 810 580 email [email protected] Mr Donald Mujiri (Public Relations Officer) on +263 772945032 [email protected].
Online Reporter