[PulseNet Africa] Listeria monocytogenes outbreak in South Africa

[pulsenetafrica at lists.wits.ac.za]

Listeria monocytogenes outbreak in South Africa

Most of you may already be aware of this outbreak in South Africa.

Globally, it is the largest ever report of a Listeria outbreak.

See link to a recent ProMed report:  http://www.promedmail.org/direct.php?id=20180218.5635764

We are performing whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on all the isolates. The outbreak strain has a MLST subtype number 6 (ST6). WGS data analysis has shown that all ST6 isolates are very closely related and only differ by a very few SNPs.

The source of the outbreak has been identified to a processing plant (Enterprise) that makes processed ready to eat meats like polony and viennas. This product is very likely exported to many African countries, so please be aware of this, and be on the lookout for human cases of Listeria monocytogenes. Should you identify any cases/isolates, please keep me informed.

See link to a recent media report:  https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/listeriosis-outbreak-what-you-need-to-know-20180305

Regards,

Anthony


Dr. Anthony Smith
Senior Medical Scientist
Centre for Enteric Diseases (Bacteriology Division)
National Institute for Communicable Diseases
South Africa
E-mail: anthonys at nicd.ac.za<mailto:anthonys at nicd.ac.za>
Tel: +27-11-5550348 | Cell: +27-83-4612145
Website: www.nicd.ac.za<http://www.nicd.ac.za/>

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 Practice Number: 5200296




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