36 dead in SA outbreak of food borne disease
More than 30 people have died following an outbreak of Listeriosis.
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi announced on Tuesday morning that while Listeriosis is a serious disease, it is a disease which can be treated with antibiotics.
The virus is found in soil, water and vegetation.
[Watch] Minister Motsoaledi on Listeriosis #FoodBorneOutbreak pic.twitter.com/Melw6dppC9
— South African Gov (@GovernmentZA) December 5, 2017
Motsoaledi said people who are most vulnerable include the elderly, children, newborns or those who are ill.
Approximately 557 cases have been reported, with the majority coming from Gauteng province.
He said they had traced 70 patients, of whom 36 died.
Minister Motsoaledi says a total of 557 laboratory-confirmed listeriosis cases have been reported from all provinces. Most cases have been reported from Gauteng Province (62%, 345/557) followed by Western Cape (13%, 71/557) and KwaZulu-Natal (7%, 37/557). #FoodBorneOutbreak
— South African Gov (@GovernmentZA) December 5, 2017