Residents across Ekurhuleni have been warned to avoid all ready-to-eat food products.<\/p>\n
This follows an announcement by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) that the listeriosis outbreak, which has to date claimed 180 lives nationwide, has been traced to originate from food products from the Enterprise facility in Germiston and Polokwane.<\/p>
\u201cThe metro\u2019s environmental health practitioners also conducted tests which also confirmed this finding.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince November last year, laboratory tests confirmed 22 cases of listeriosis in Ekurhuleni comprising of 10 adults and 12 four-week-old and younger infants,\u201d said Themba Gadebe, spokesperson for the metro.<\/p>
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.<\/p>\n
Listeria is a bacterium that is naturally found in the environment and commonly occurs in soil, water, vegetation and in the faeces of some animals.<\/p>\n
The bacterium can contaminate a wide variety of food types, including meat and meat products, dairy products pasteurised and unpasteurised, fresh and frozen produce (fruits, vegetables and sprouts) and ready-to-eat products.<\/p>\n
The metro has advised that to prevent the spread of listeria, basic hygiene should be followed along with the following measures:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Thoroughly cooking raw foods from animal sources, such as beef, pork or poultry.<\/p>\n \u2022 Washing hands before preparing food, before eating and after going to the toilet.<\/p>\n \u2022 Washing and sanitisation of kitchen surfaces and utensils regularly, particularly after preparing raw meat, poultry and eggs, including industrial kitchens.<\/p>\n \u2022 Washing raw vegetables and fruits thoroughly before eating.<\/p>\n Have a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a><\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist)\u00a0kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Remember to visit the Germiston City News on the following social media platforms:<\/p>\n Facebook<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Twitter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Instagram<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n YouTube\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Or add the GCN on\u00a0<\/b><\/span>WhatsApp 079 406 1181<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>or\u00a0BBM (BBM Pin: 7F102137)<\/strong>\u00a0<\/b><\/span>today, to get all the latest news.<\/p>\n Catch-up on more local news with our sister newspapers\u00a0<\/span>Bedfordview Edenvale News<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0<\/span>Alberton Record<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Kempton Express<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n