Dire rush to trace deadly bacterial outbreak

Health authorities are rushing to hint the root of a listeria contamination, aft Victoria, NSW and Queensland each reported a genetically-linked clusters of listeriosis.

The microorganism is transmitted done nutrient contaminated with listeria bacteria, similar brushed cheeses, pre-packaged nutrient and chilled seafood and meat.

Although it usually lone presents arsenic a mild unwellness successful wellness people, it tin origin septicaemia and/or meningitis successful susceptible patients.

People who are immunocompromised, diabetic, the elderly, large oregon person a past of intoxicant maltreatment are astatine the highest hazard of superior illness.

Queensland’s main wellness serviceman John Gerrard said 8 cases of the bacterial corruption had been detected to date, but helium expected the fig to summation passim the week.

On Sunday helium said officials were presently investigating cases successful the state’s southbound east, which matched the familial codes detected successful different states.

“There is imaginable for further cases to beryllium notified arsenic portion of this outbreak arsenic it tin instrumentality up to 2 months for symptoms to look aft eating nutrient contaminated with listeria,” Dr Gerrard said.

“We are investigating respective imaginable nutrient sources, with tests presently nether way.

“We expect much results to travel done successful the coming week.”

Symptoms of listeriosis tin origin fever, headache, musculus aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and cervix stiffness, and portion signs of unwellness whitethorn look anytime wrong 24 hours to 2 months aft eating contaminated food.

Dr Gerrard advised radical who were acrophobic astir a imaginable corruption to interaction their GP immediately.

NSW besides issued an alert for listeriosis aft 25 cases were detected arsenic of September 9.

NSW Health’s One Health branch, Keira Glasgow said the fig of cases was person to what the authorities “usually expect to spot successful a full year”.

“There are a scope of foods that contiguous precise existent risks to radical who are older, large oregon person underlying wellness conditions specified arsenic cancer, diabetes, heart, liver, oregon kidney disease, oregon who are connected medications specified arsenic corticosteroids which interaction immune systems,” she said.

“That’s wherefore NSW Health is reminding these susceptible radical to beryllium alert of the foods that contiguous these risks. It’s captious these radical take safer options astatine each times.”

NSW Health advised radical who were susceptible to superior corruption to debar foods including:

– Cold delicatessen meats (freshly sliced, pre-packaged oregon from sandwich bars)

– Pre-cooked acold chickenhearted (whole, portions oregon diced)

– Smoked seafood (for example, smoked salmon), unless cooked and served hot

– Chilled oregon earthy seafood (for example, ready-to-eat prawns)

– Rockmelon, and pre-cut effect oregon pre-prepared fruit, including effect crockery (pre-packaged, buffets oregon crockery bars)

– Prepacked acold salads, including coleslaw (pre-packaged, buffets oregon crockery bars)

– Frozen vegetables, unless cooked

– Pâté oregon nutrient spreads

– Unpasteurised beverage oregon beverage products

– Soft cheeses specified arsenic brie, camembert, ricotta, oregon blue-vein (unless cooked and eaten portion hot)

– Soft service crystal cream

– Sprouted seeds