The death toll from a listeria outbreak in South Africa is now up to 172. That number is more than double from a previous tally given in January.
The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD)on Thursday said 915 cases of the disease have been confirmed since January last year, up from the previous figures given last month of 61 deaths and 720 confirmed outbreaks.
South Africa’s most densely populated province Gauteng accounts for 59 per cent of reported cases. Western Cape is next with 12 per cent and KwaZulu-Natal with 7 per cent.
The government said the source of the outbreak was still unknown.
“The NICD is optimistic that the source of this outbreak will be found, and urges members of the public not to panic unnecessarily,” government said in a statement.
The food-borne disease is caused by a bacterium found in soil, water and vegetation. People usually contract listeria through animal products and fresh fruits and vegetables.
The disease causes flu-like symptoms and can lead to nausea, diarrhoea, infection of the blood stream and brain. It poses a higher risk for newborns, the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with weak immunity.
