Still considered a rare infection by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Listeria is the third most common cause of food poisoning fatalities in the United States. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1600 people are infected by Listeria annually, out of which 260 die, making up 1 in 6 Americans. Listeria Monocytogenes is a germ that contaminates food and causes a serious infection in people of all ages, especially older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and people with weak immune systems. The foodborne illness can last from days to weeks, and the symptoms can vary from mild to severe, depending on the severity of the infection. Keep reading to learn more about Listeria Monocytogenes food poisoning.
What Is the Listeria Infection?
Listeriosis is a foodborne illness caused by the germ Listeria Monocytogenes, usually found in groundwater, soil, animal feces, and rotting vegetation. People get Listeria from eating contaminated food like hotdogs, deli meals, fresh vegetables, soft cheeses, cantaloupes, fresh fruits, and unpasteurized dairy products. L. monocytogenes is a rare form of bacteria that can reproduce even in low temperatures. Not only this, but the strangest part is that the food contaminated with the bacteria doesn't develop a strange taste, smell, or changes texture, making it impossible to know if the food or beverage is safe to consume or not.
...