Listeria - Reminder to Northlanders

Following the listeria scare in the North Island in February, Northland District Health Board's Medical Officer of Health has issued a reminder of the effects of the disease.

Dr Loek Henneveld said that listeria can cause serious health problems with pregnant women or people with low immunity. "Luckily we only normally have one or two cases notified each year in Northland. Sadly though, many of these cases involve complications like miscarriage, stillbirth or meningitis."
Listeria is a common bug in the environment and most people are exposed to it regularly with no ill effects.

Dr Henneveld said: "The problem with listeria bugs is that they can grow on food that is stored in the refrigerator." Many ready-to-eat foods stored in the refrigerator for more than two days are at high risk of contamination.

In February the Auckland Regional Public Health Service tested two processed meat products and found the presence of the listeria bacteria. The producer, Leonard's Superior Smallgoods Ltd, was asked to cease distributing the products until safety could be assured, and complied with this request.

The affected products (Leonard's cold roast beef and packaged cold corned silverside) were withdrawn and those batches that had been distributed, to trade outlets throughout the North Island, were recalled.

There have been no reports of anyone becoming ill with listeria in Northland as a result of this scare. It is believed, but not proven, that a very small amount of contaminated meat may have been served in the district.

Dr Henneveld said it was unlikely that anyone in Northland would become sick as a result of this latest listeria scare. However he said it offered a timely reminder of the dangers of listeria. Mothers-to-be in particular are advised to avoid eating high-risk foods such as processed meats, pates or soft cheeses during pregnancy unless the food is heated and served steaming hot.

As the disease has a lengthy incubation period - from 21 to 70 days - Dr Henneveld said it was also advisable to remind people of the symptoms, and that they should see a doctor if they experienced these symptoms and had also eaten processed meats from a café in the North Island during February.

Listeria is found in soil, water, plants and in human and animal droppings. In most healthy adults and children it has no effect, but it can cause illness in the very young, the elderly and people with lowered immunity. Symptoms can include a fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle and joint pain. In pregnant women it can lead to a mild flu-like illness, but the major concern is that an infection in pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth.

Dr Henneveld said: "If you have eaten cold, sliced roast beef or corned silverside from a café between the beginning of February and 24 February, and develop flu-like symptoms or become concerned about your health in the next few weeks, especially if you are pregnant, I suggest that you contact your doctor and highlight the possibility of listeria."



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For further information, please contact:

Clare Blackburn, Communications Manager
Northland District Health Board

Phone (09) 430 4101 ext 3315