Listeria (food poisoning)
Listeria (food poisoning) Listeria is a type of bacteria carried in some foods that can lead to miscarriage or infect a newborn baby. Pregnant women can reduce their risk of listeria by eating wisely. Follow hygienic food handling tips to avoid the risk of listeria. What is listeria? Listeria is a bacterium ( Listeria monocytogenes ) that is common in the environment, and is carried by many farm animals and pets. You can be infected by listeria if you eat contaminated food. Some foods are riskier than others – the riskiest are those eaten raw or inadequately cooked. Listeriosis the name of the infection caused by listeria. It is rare, but potentially serious, especially for a fetus or newborn. Each year in Australia, about 150 people are hospitalised due to listeriosis, and a small number die. Listeriosis symptoms Many people exposed to listeria remain healthy. Some have no symptoms, while others have vomiting and diarrhoea, which is normally ...
