03 Sep 2018

Listeriosis outbreak officially over - Motsoaledi

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has announced that the country's listeriosis outbreak is officially over.

At a media briefing on Monday, Motsoaledi said that no new cases have been detected in the last three months.

"I'm here to announce that we no longer have a listeriosis outbreak."

This means that processed meat products can be consumed, but he urged people to pay attention to proper food safety, pointing out that while the outbreak is over, the disease is not completely gone.

He also said that despite concerted efforts, investigators have not been able to pinpoint exactly where the outbreak originated.

Motsoaledi said that 62% of the listeriosis cases were in Gauteng, and about 900 health inspectors in all districts were retrained. They identified 157 factories with listeria, and over 12 000 tons of food was recalled and destroyed.

SEE: How SA's deadly listeriosis outbreak unfolded

More to follow.

Listeriosis outbreak is over in South Africa, Minister of Health announced at the media briefing held at NICD
— Department of Health (@HealthZA) September 3, 2018
Enterprise Factory will announce their readiness for production. The environment of RCL and Enterprise in Germiston is free of Listeriosis and can start producing
— Department of Health (@HealthZA) September 3, 2018
This means that all foods that have processed meats can be eaten. The Minister urges communities to do the followings: pic.twitter.com/lsIWmduXsz
— Department of Health (@HealthZA) September 3, 2018

https://t.co/CCWKw9jAmI
— Department of Health (@HealthZA) September 3, 2018

According to the Minister, ready-to-eat processed meat can now be safely consumed. @HealthZA #Listeriosis #nicd pic.twitter.com/1qxPURPc5c
— NICD (@nicd_sa) September 3, 2018

@HealthZA Minister says while the #Listeriosis outbreak is over, it does not mean that people #Listeria is gone.
— SA Gov News (@SAgovnews) September 3, 2018

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