2017–2018 South African listeriosis outbreak

Overview of the 2017–2018 listeriosis outbreak in South Africa

2017–2018 South African listeriosis outbreak

The 2017–2018 South African listeriosis outbreak was a significant public health crisis caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. This outbreak was the largest ever recorded globally, with over 1,000 confirmed cases and more than 200 deaths. The outbreak was linked to contaminated processed meat products, particularly a type of sausage known as polony.

Background

Enterprise corned meats, one of the products involved in the outbreak

Listeriosis is a serious infection usually caused by eating food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. It primarily affects pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. In severe cases, the infection can spread to the nervous system, causing meningitis or encephalitis.

Outbreak timeline

The outbreak was first identified in January 2017, but it was not until December 2017 that the South African Department of Health declared it a national outbreak. The source of the outbreak was traced to a food production facility owned by Enterprise Foods, a subsidiary of Tiger Brands, located in Polokwane.

In March 2018, the South African government announced that the outbreak had been linked to contaminated processed meat products, specifically polony, which is a popular food item in South Africa. The government issued a recall of all products from the affected facility and advised the public to avoid consuming ready-to-eat processed meats.

Response and containment

Polony recall notice in South Africa

The South African government, along with international health organizations, implemented several measures to contain the outbreak. These included:

• Issuing public health warnings and advisories to avoid certain food products.
• Conducting inspections and testing of food production facilities.
• Implementing a nationwide recall of contaminated products.
• Enhancing surveillance and reporting systems for listeriosis.

The outbreak was officially declared over in September 2018, after no new cases were reported for several weeks.

Impact

The outbreak had a significant impact on public health and the food industry in South Africa. It led to increased awareness of food safety practices and prompted regulatory changes to improve food safety standards. The economic impact was also substantial, with Tiger Brands facing lawsuits and a decline in consumer trust.

Related pages

• Listeriosis
• Foodborne illness
• Public health