Deaths after eating listeria melons

13 people in the US died of listeriosis after eating honeydew melons

29/09/2011

In the US, at least 13 people have died as a result of consuming listeria-contaminated melons. Almost one hundred people are also suffering from listeriosis. Especially for infants, the elderly, pregnant women and the chronically ill, the food germs are hazardous to health and can cause serious illnesses.

After a few months ago in Germany, an EHEC epidemic broke out, it has now come in the US to a series of serious bacterial food poisoning. According to US health officials, at least 13 people have died from the infectious disease in a short time. Another 72 people are suffering from listeriosis. All patients had previously eaten honey melons contaminated with Listeria. Listeria belongs to the genus of anaerobic bacteria.

More deaths feared
The food authority FDA fears according to own data further serious illness cases with death consequence. Because the incubation period can be up to eight weeks, as the authorities spokeswoman Margaret Hamburg explained. The bacteria-contaminated fruits come from the agricultural area of ​​the state of Colorado. The melons were sold in a total of 25 states. In 18 states, the infectious disease had occurred. The authorities rule out a danger for people in Germany, because the melons were not exported to Europe according to initial findings. The first acute patient case was already at the beginning of the month of September, as reported by Thomas Frieden of the US Department of Health CDC. In the last decade, there has been no similar case of large-scale food poisoning that has led to the death of so many people, the expert said.

Listeria also in German food
A Listeria epidemic can also happen in Germany at any time. Only last week, a manufacturer had to recall its goods because the bacterium was discovered in a sample. According to statements by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), every year several thousand people become infected with Listeria. However, most do not notice the infection or just feel light abdominal pain or nausea. The bacteria are often found in foods like meat, fish, vegetables and aged cheese. If more than 100 of the bacteria per gram are found in laboratory samples during the estimated shelf-life, merchandise must be removed promptly. In order to guarantee the quality of the food, regular random samples are taken in Germany. Nevertheless, there are 250 to 300 listeriosis cases every year. Thus, the disease is still relatively rare compared to others.

Complaints are similar to a seasonal flu
The course of the disease is similar to a flu, which is why doctors do not interpret the symptoms correctly. The sufferers initially suffer from diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain. If a high number of bacteria are ingested and the patients are physically weak, headaches, drowsiness and paralysis appear. In unfavorable constellations, listeriosis can also lead to death. This usually happens when therapy is too late and organs have already been affected.

A big problem is the timely diagnosis. It can take weeks and even months between the consumption of bacterially contaminated food and the onset of the disease. In some cases, an outbreak phase of over two months has been observed. Most patients can not establish a context between the complaints and the consumption of food. For the symptoms described, patients should therefore insist on a laboratory examination. The laboratory findings can be targeted diagnostics. As a first choice antibiotics are administered, which usually achieve a cure.

Maintain hygiene in food processing
Provision is still the best way to protect yourself. Since the EHEC cases in Germany, many people have been sensitized to hygiene in dealing with food. Cold and vacuum packaging do not bother the Listeria bacteria. Frequently, the food bacteria can multiply numerous despite poor living conditions. For this reason, meat products should be heated to at least 70 degrees Celsius and fruits and vegetables should be washed thoroughly with water. Important: The vegetables or fruits should not be processed on the same board where fish or meat was previously prepared. (Sb)

Also read:
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Aldi recalls salami with Listeria bacteria
Every seventh ice is contaminated with germs
Netto markets: bacteria found in cheese
Symptoms of EHEC infection

Picture: berwis