Each
month the CDC Vital Signs Program releases a call-to-action about an
important public health topic that uses the latest available
surveillance data. Today’s release is about food poisoning caused by Listeria and the people it targets.
When Food Bites Back: Act Locally, Control Nationally
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
2:00 – 3:00 pm (EDT)
Here are some facts:
Most at risk: Listeria
targets older adults, pregnant women and their babies, and those with
weakened immune systems. These hard-hit groups account for at least 90
percent of reported Listeria infections.
- Deadly consequences: Listeria is the third leading cause of death from food poisoning. Most people who have Listeria infections require hospital care and about 1 in 5 of them die.
- Risky foods: Listeria can hide unnoticed in food-processing equipment subsequently leading to food contamination. Listeria
outbreaks are mainly caused by soft Mexican-style cheeses like queso
fresco and other soft cheeses that were either made from unpasteurized
milk or that got contaminated during cheese-making. Some outbreaks have
also been caused by foods that people may not think of as risky for Listeria, like celery, sprouts, and cantaloupe.
- Progress stalled: Data indicate that no progress in reducing the rate of Listeria infection has occurred in over a decade. New food safety regulations proposed this year may help.
|
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario