Listeria and Listeriosis
LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES
Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes, referred to hereafter as Listeria) are foodborne bacteria with genus Listeria and species monocytogenes. Human illness caused by Listeria has been linked primarily with the consumption of unpasteurized milk, soft cheeses, ice cream, smoked fish and raw and ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. In the case of the Massachusetts Listeria outbreak associated with Whittier Farms, all of the people sickened and killed in the outbreak had consumed Whittier Farms pasteurized milk.
Listeria can be killed by cooking or pasteurizing food products; however, contact with Listeria bacteria after such a “kill step” will re-contaminate the product. This risk is heightened in food processing environments, where Listeria bacteria tend to thrive, particularly in floor drains and other cool, damp areas. According to health officials, they suspect the Whittier Farms pasteurized milk was contaminated after the pasteurization process.
In contrast to most other harmful bacteria, Listeria will grow slowly on foods stored in a refrigerator, and freezing has very little detrimental effect on the organism.
LISTERIOSIS
Listeriosis is the disease caused by ingesting Listeria bacteria. Listeriosis is clinically defined when the organism is isolated from blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or an otherwise normally sterile site (e.g. placenta and fetus). The elderly, immuno-compromised persons and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to listeriosis. Initial symptoms of listeriosis include nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, headache, constipation and persistent fever.
The disease frequently triggers sespticemia, pneumonia, and meningitis. In pregnant women, listeriosis usually causes a mild, flu-like illness followed by miscarriage, stillbirth, or bacteremia and meningitis in newborns.
Although listeriosis is relatively rare, it is one of the most deadly foodborne diseases, accounting for roughly 28% of all deaths resulting from foodborne illness. In the Massachusetts outbreak linked to Whittier Farms, 2 of the 4 people sickened in the outbreak died. Both of them were elderly.
The time period between consuming Listeria-contaminated food and the onset of listeriosis can be as long as 70 days. This makes it extremely difficult to pinpoint the source of a listeriosis outbreak (also referred to as a Listeria outbreak).
Pritzker | Ruohonen has successfully represented people sickened by Listeria outbreaks and the families of people who died after contracting listeriosis. For a free consultation regarding legal representation by a Listeria attorney, please call toll-free at 1-888-377-8900 or submit the firm's free case consultation form.