Twelve deaths from Listeria in sausage

Denmark: Twelve deaths after consumption of Listeria contaminated sausage

08/13/2014

Twelve people in Denmark have probably died of a bacterial infection within 30 days after eating sausage. The Danish food ministry said the company, whose meat is the main source of the Listeria outbreak, closed down.

Company was closed
According to press reports, twelve people in Denmark have died from a bacterial infection after eating sausage. As the Danish Ministry of Food announced on Tuesday, the meat of a producer of cold meats and cold meats is the main source of the Listeria outbreak. „The company was therefore shut down, all of its products are being withdrawn“, it says in a message from the news agency dpa.

Twelve patients died within 30 days
The Statens Serum Institute, which investigates the cause of the outbreak, reported that in Denmark since September 2013, a total of 20 people of different ages had been infected with identical Listeria, including 15 in the past three months alone. Now the same bacteria have been found in a sausage batch of the company. „Twelve patients died within 30 days of the trial date.“ Every year around 50 people in Denmark become infected with Listeria.

Bacteria can trigger listeriosis
Time and again Listeria in food is reported. For example, in March of this year, various cheese products in Germany were recalled because of possible Listeria infestation. Listeria are bacteria that can sometimes trigger listeriosis. This dangerous infectious disease, notifiable in Germany since 2001, mainly affects people who have poor physical defense. During the course of the disease, flu-like symptoms usually occur. Sufferers initially suffer from diarrhea and severe abdominal pain, in the later course often with fever, severe headache or even paralysis and dizziness.

Precautions should be followed
The diagnosis of listeriosis is sometimes difficult, as it can take up to two months between infection and illness. In principle, therefore, the described symptoms should be taken seriously. If evidence has been obtained, treatment with antibiotics often takes place. To guard against listeriosis or other foodborne infections, experts recommend heating up enough food that may be affected. In addition, certain precautions should be taken, such as not cutting raw meat with the same knife as cooked meat or vegetables. Not often enough, hand washing is the most important hygiene rule. (Ad)