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Foodborne outbreaks of Listeria monocytogenes have been recognized increasingly in developed countries. Immunocompromised hosts, including pregnant women and their newborn infants, are at increased risk. South African public health scientists now report on the recognition and control of a L. monocytogenes outbreak in the middle-income nation due to contaminated polony, a popular processed meat product in that county.
In the fall of 2017, the scientists undertook a nationwide investigation after noting a marked increase in the incidence of L. monocytogenes cases in two public hospitals in the Gauteng province and elsewhere in South Africa. The 937 listeriosis cases identified included 465 pregnant women or their newborns. HIV status was known…