The Ekurhuleni municipality has stated that since November 2017, laboratory tests confirmed 22 cases of listeriosis in Ekurhuleni comprising of ten adults, 12 four-week-old babies and younger infants.

The city urges residents to avoid all ready-to-eat food products such as vienna’s, russians, frankfurters, sausages and cold meats that are not typically cooked.

This comes after an announcement made by the Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) on 4 March, that the listeriosis outbreak has been traced to originate from these food products from the Enterprise facility in Germiston.

READ: Farrarmere resident survived listeriosis while pregnant

The outbreak has to date claimed over 100 lives nationwide.

The City of Ekurhuleni environmental health practitioners also conducted tests which also confirmed this finding, said EMM spokesperson, Themba Gadebe.

“While Enterprise has committed to recalling all affected products, pregnant women, new-born babies, elderly people and anyone with a weakened immune system are strongly advised to stay clear of all processed food products.”

To prevent the spread of Listeria, basic hygiene should be followed along with the following measures:
• Thoroughly cooking raw foods from animal sources, such as beef, pork or poultry.
• Washing hands before preparing food, before eating and after going to the toilet.
• Washing and sanitise kitchen surfaces and utensils regularly, particularly after preparing raw meat, poultry and eggs, including industrial kitchens.
• Washing raw vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating.

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