DISEASES : Listeria

Listeria monocytogenes (commonly known as listeria) is a bacterium that is widespread in the environment. It is found in soil, vegetation, water, sewage and the feces of animals and humans. Listeria can cause Listeriosis, a serious but rare illness that in certain cases can lead to brain infection and even death. The elderly, newborns, pregnant women and those who have a weakened immune system are most susceptible to developing Listeriosis.

Listeriosis is caused by eating food contaminated with Listeria bacteria. Listeria can be found in unpasturized (raw) dairy products, raw vegetables and uncooked meats. Foods can also be contaminated after processing, such as hot dogs, cold cuts or deli meats. Unlike most other harmful bacteria, Listeria will grow on foods stored in a refrigerator. Foods that are contaminated with Listeria look, smell and taste normal. Listeria can be killed by proper cooking procedures. Listeria bacteria are not commonly passed from person to person.

Symptoms may start suddenly and include : vomiting, nausea, cramps, diarrhea, severe headache, constipation or fever. Some infections become severe and develop into an infection of the brain or the lining of the brain and blood poisoning. Some people experience only mild flu-like symptoms.

In newborn babies, symptoms may include loss of appetite, lethargy, jaundice, vomiting, skin rash and difficulty breathing.

Symptoms can occur from three to 70 days after eating foods contaminated with Listeria, with an average incubation period of three weeks.

Many people may be carriers of Listeria, but few will actually develop Listeriosis. How ill someone becomes depends upon their general state of health, their age and whether they are pregnant. Those who do develop Listeriosis will likely become ill from eating food contaminated with the bacteria, often with symptoms of what people would call food poisoning. Listeriosis is a relatively rare disease in Canada. Animals and humans can carry the bacterium without knowing it.

A blood or spinal fluid test will determine if you have Listeriosis. Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms, especially severe symptoms.

• The elderly. The risk increases with age.
• Pregnant women and their unborn/newborn children. Pregnant women have a higher risk of Listeriosis than other healthy adults. If a pregnant woman develops Listeriosis during the first three months of her pregnancy, she may miscarry. Up to two weeks before a miscarriage, pregnant women may experience a mild flu-like illness with chills, fatigue, headache as well as muscular and joint pain. Listeriosis later on in the pregnancy can result in a stillbirth or the birth of an acutely-ill child.
• People with weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy, transplant patients, those with AIDS, those with diabetes, those with kidney disease and alcoholics.

• Foods should be kept out of the temperature danger zone (between 4°C and 60°C or 40°F and 140°F). Keep the refrigerator at 4°C (40°F) or colder. Foods should be refrigerated promptly.
• Thoroughly cook raw meats such as beef, lamb, pork, or poultry.
• Wash raw vegetables and fruit before eating.
• Avoid unpasteurised (raw) milk or foods made from unpasteurised (raw) milk.
• Keep raw meat separate from vegetables, cooked foods, and ready-to-eat foods including using separate cutting boards for raw meat and foods that are ready to eat.
• Wash your hands before and after preparing food and after handling animals.
• Clean all utensils, cutting boards, work surfaces with mild bleach solution.
• Follow ‘best before’ or expiry dates on food items.
• If possible, buy only as much product as will be consumed in one or two days.

As well as following all the procedures listed above, the following is a guide to reduce the risk of Listeria bacteria for persons at high risk such as pregnant women, the elderly or those who have a weakened immune system.

Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Depending on the form of the disease, treatment may take up to six weeks or more. Antibiotics given to pregnant women with Listeriosis can often reduce the risk of infection in the newborn or the unborn child. There is no vaccine to prevent Listeriosis.

Throw out food that has been recalled because of Listeria contamination. If you have eaten a contaminated product and do not have any symptoms, no tests are required. However, if you become ill with fever or serious illness, contact your health care provider and mention your possible exposure. See Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for most current list of food recalls.

If you have eaten a contaminated product and do not have any symptoms, no tests are required. However, if you become ill with fever or serious illness, contact your health care provider and mention your possible exposure.

© Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2002  |  Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimers  |   Last Modified :