Preventing the Spread of Listeriosis: Effective Strategies and Guidelines

Introduction

Food such as refrigerated ready-to-eat foods, raw unpasteurized milk, and milk products are often found contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a foodborne bacteria. listeria is the third leading cause of death due to food poisoning. Listeria monocytogenes grow at refrigerator temperatures. Most healthy people do not get serious illnesses if they consume food contaminated with bacteria. However, in people with low immunity and higher risk, listeria monocytogenes can cause critical illness that can be life-threatening.

Who Is More Prone to Listeria Infection?

Pregnant women are more prone to listeria infection than the general population. In fact, the risk is ten times greater for pregnant women, which is why they should be aware of the preventive measures. Ancestry also matters as pregnant Hispanic women are at an increased risk of listeria infection than non-Hispanic women. Hispanics consume soft cheese (queso fresco) and other food made with unpasteurized milk, putting them at a higher risk. The high-risk criteria include the following:

1. Pregnant women.

2. Unborn babies.

3. Newborns.

4. Older adults.

5. People with a weak immune system.

6. People with diseases that affect the immune system, such as AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

7. People with kidney disease.

8. People with uncontrolled diabetes.

9. Kidney or other transplant patients.

Pregnant women who are infected may experience mild symptoms such as flu-like symptoms, or they may be asymptomatic. However, listeriosis causes complications in the pregnancy, such as miscarriage, death of the fetus, health problems such as low birth weight in the newborns, and in severe cases, infant death. Thus, it is essential to prevent listeriosis, especially in pregnant women and high-risk individuals.

What Are the Common Symptoms of Listeriosis?

When one consumes food that has dangerous bacteria, such as listeria, it usually results in illness within one to three days of consuming the contaminated food. However, a person can get sick immediately (as soon as 20 minutes after eating the food) or can get sick after a few weeks (up to six weeks later). Most people recover from listeriosis, like foodborne illnesses, within a short duration without much issue. Some high-risk individuals develop severe, long-term complications and life-threatening health issues. Foodborne diseases are often confused with other diseases that have similar symptoms. The most common symptoms of listeriosis and other foodborne illnesses include:

1. Vomiting.

2. Diarrhea.

3. Abdominal pain.

4. Flu-like symptoms (fever, body aches, and headache).

It is essential to contact the healthcare provider immediately if a foodborne illness is suspected.

How to Prevent Listeria Growth in Refrigerated Food?

Simple actions in day-to-day life can help to prevent infection. These include:

1. Adjust the refrigerator temperature to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (40°F). Maintaining the proper temperature in the refrigerator slows down the growth of listeria.

2. Adjust the freezer temperature to zero degrees Fahrenheit (0°F). This is essential to prevent the growth of listeria in frozen food.

3. Do not store ready-to-eat, refrigerated food for a longer duration. It is advised to use the refrigerated food by the date mentioned on the package. The longer they are stored, the greater the bacterial growth and the chance of infection.

4. The refrigerator foodstuffs must be cleaned regularly. The spills must be wiped up immediately. This is essential as when listeria does not have a place to grow in one food, it spreads to other foodstuffs in the refrigerator. The walls and shelves have to be cleaned with hot water and detergent and rinsed and dried well (with a paper towel or a clean cloth).

5. Check the refrigerator regularly for spills, and monitor the temperature.

How to Choose the Right Food to Prevent Listeriosis?

It is important to choose the right food and prepare them safely to reduce illness risk from listeria for high-risk people:

• High-Risk Food Includes:

• Hot dogs and luncheon meats that are not reheated properly.

• Soft cheeses and milk products are made with unpasteurized milk.

• Refrigerated seafood that is not cooked.

• Unpasteurized milk.

• Refrigerated meat spreads.

• Low-Risk Food Includes:

• Luncheon meats and hot dogs are heated to a high temperature (165 degrees Fahrenheit, measured by a food thermometer).

• Cheese and milk products are made with pasteurized milk.

• Canned or shelf-stable seafood.

• Pasteurized milk.

• Canned or shelf-stable meat spreads.

What Are the Steps to Be Followed for Food Safety?

To ensure food safety, we must:

1. Clean: Washing hands before, during, and after handling food is essential. It is important to wash utensils, surfaces and cutting boards, and other things the food regularly touches after each use. It is essential to wash fruits and vegetables. Do not wash meat, eggs, or poultry in the usual cleaning area that can get contaminated.

2. Separate: Separate plates, cutting boards, and utensils have to be used while handling uncooked meat, seafood, eggs, or poultry. It is important to keep the eggs, meat, and seafood away and separately from all the other food while handling, shopping, and storage (in the refrigerator).

3. Cook: It is essential to use a food thermometer to check if the fish, meat, and poultry are cooked properly. This ensures that the bacteria are not present in the cooked food. Eggs should be cooked fully before consumption. Hard-boiled eggs with a firm yolk are the safest.

4. Chill: It is essential to use appliance thermometers. Routine checks have to be made to ensure that the refrigerator is maintained at the correct temperature. If the temperature is not maintained or checked, there is a high risk of bacterial growth and multiplication. The more bacterial growth, the higher the chance of illness.

How Is Listeriosis Managed?

When listeriosis occurs in a pregnant woman, prompt antibiotic administration can prevent the fetus or the newborn from being infected. Newborns and infants with listeriosis are also administered a combination of antibiotics that is suggested by the physician or the pediatrician. Without prompt treatment, listeriosis can be fatal for high-risk individuals such as people with critical health problems and the elderly.

Conclusion

Listeriosis is a foodborne bacterial infection that can cause severe symptoms in high-risk individuals and pregnant women. Simple steps such as regularly cleaning the food and meat and their proper storage can prevent the growth of bacteria in the food. It is important to handle, wash and store meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separately from other food. Maintaining a proper storage temperature in the refrigerator and thoroughly cooking meat, eggs, fish, and poultry are necessary to prevent listeriosis.