Monday,
October 06, 2008 Source of Article: http://newsinfo.colostate.edu/index.asp?url=news_item_display&news_item_id=509713308 FORT COLLINS
- Colorado State University researchers are conducting research and education
activities for the prevention of listeriosis
outbreaks such the one spreading through Canada. In the last several weeks,
foods contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes have
resulted in more than 60 illnesses and at least 17 deaths in Scientists at "The scientists involved in this project are available to provide
guidance to the industry and consumers relative to the various aspects of listeriosis and listeria
control," Sofos said. Listeria monocytogenes is a deadly pathogen
transmitted through consumption of contaminated food. The organism, found
widely in the environment, can grow at refrigerator-level temperatures.
Usually, the pathogen causes human infection through consumption of
refrigerated, ready-to-eat foods such as deli meats, soft raw-milk cheeses
and seafood salads. The time between consumption of a contaminated food
product and onset of illness may be as long as 70 days. Although the incidence of listeriosis is
relatively low, when it strikes, it can be severe. Twenty percent to 30
percent of those who are diagnosed with listeriosis
die, with the elderly and fetuses of pregnant women being the most at risk. Symptoms of the listeriosis infection may
include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Severely
infected adults may develop meningitis or other severe complications. Foods
contaminated with the pathogen may appear normal with no signs of smell or
spoilage. Sofos, along with researchers from "As project director, I will answer questions or I will direct
questions to those members of the consortium most qualified to address
them," Sofos said. The project is funded by the National Integrated Food Safety Initiative of
the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service of the U.S.
Department of Agriculture. |
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