Listeria monocytogenes

What is Listeria monocytogenes?

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that can cause listeriosis, a potentially dangerous foodborne illness. Listeria monocytogenes, which is usually found in moist soil and water, is unusual because of the bacterium’s ability to thrive at lower temperatures, such as the temperatures found in the average refrigerator. Listeriosis is one of the deadliest foodborne illnesses in the U.S. with a 20% fatality rate among people diagnosed with listeriosis. People typically become ill from eating Listeria monocytogenes in foods.

What are the illnesses associated with Listeria monocytogenes?

Listeriosis is the illness specifically caused by Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, but not every infection of Listeria monocytogenes is diagnosed as listeriosis. Sometimes in situations where no tests are run or the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria are not detected, a doctor might diagnose a mild case of listeriosis as the flu.

How is Listeria monocytogenes transmitted?

Sources that have been known to transmit Listeria monocytogenes include:

• Contaminated Foods
• Untreated drinking water that
• Cross contamination from handling infected foods

What foods are most at risk for Listeria monocytogenes contamination?

• Raw milk and products made from raw milk
• Soft cheeses
• Ready to eat foods like deli meats and smoked fish
• Raw fruits and vegetables that are grown in Listeria monocytogenes contaminated soil and water

Foods contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes do not have an odor and look normal, without testing there is no way to determine if a food is harboring the foodborne bacteria.

Listeria monocytogenes is sensitive to heat and cooking, which is why raw foods and ready-to-eat meats are at particular risk since these foods are rarely prepared heated.

What can you do to help avoid Listeria monocytogenes?

• Avoid eating raw or undercooked meats
• Avoid consuming unpasteurized raw milk or foods made from raw milk such as cheese and ice cream
• Clean and sanitize hands, utensils and surfaces after handling foods that are at risk for Listeria monocytogenes  contamination
• Separate foods from each other before the foods can be properly cooked

These safety suggestions can be helpful at controlling the cross contamination threats posed by a contaminated food product, but the only way to assure you are safe from foodborne illness is to never contact a contaminated food product in the first place.

According to the CDC, the responsibility of food safety does not rest in the hands of the consumer. Quoting the CDC’s website,” In the end, it is up to the consumer to demand a safe food supply; up to industry to produce it; up to researchers to develop better ways of doing so; and up to government to see that it happens, to make sure it works and to identify problems still in need of solutions.”

Who is at the greatest risk for Listeria monocytogenes infection?

All people who are exposed to Listeria monocytogenes pathogens are at risk of contracting listeriosis, but for healthy individuals, Listeria monocytogenes exposure rarely poses a serious danger. But for those at high risk for a Listeria monocytogenes infection, Listeria monocytogenes can pose a serious and even fatal threat. Those at highest risk include, young children, the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, people with preexisting conditions such as kidney disease and cancer and pregnant women.

What are the symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes poisoning?

Onset of listeriosis occurs about 1 to 2 months after ingesting the Listeria monocytogenes pathogen. Symptoms of the illness include:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea / Vomiting
• Abdominal cramping
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• Confusion
• Loss of balance
• Convulsions

Individuals may be infected with Listeria monocytogenes and show no signs of illness. Pregnant women may only experience mild flu like symptoms but the illness can lead to premature births and stillborns. For those who become ill from listeriosis, the illness can develop into severe and life threatening complications.

What are the complications that can occur from a Listeria monocytogenes infection?

Listeria monocytogenes infections are not common, but listeriosis can be a very serious. On average, about 2500 cases of listeriosis are diagnosed each year in the U.S., but about 500 of those cases end in a fatality. Some of the complications that can occur from Listeria monocytogenes poisoning include:

• Hospitalization due to severe symptoms
• Neurological damage
• Premature birth
• Stillborns
• Death

Advocating for Food Safety

The foodborne illness lawyers at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault promote food safety through legal advocacy, information outreach and analysis of food poisoning outbreaks. The food poisoning attorneys at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault have helped people harmed by contaminated foods or beverages, including clients in Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and across the country.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious complications from a foodborne illness, please contact Neblett, Beard & Arsenault for a free evaluation of your case. Contact our firm by calling 1-800-256-1050 or use our online contact form.