7% of listeriosis cases traced to KZN: Health MEC
Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo says so far there is no real threat posed by the Listeria outbreak to our province.
The food-borne disease has killed at least 36 people in the country.
The national Health Department says there are currently 557 laboratory confirmed cases of Listeriosis across the country - with the majority of them occurring in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
MEC Dhlomo says KZN makes up about 7% of these cases.
The bacteria is found in soil, fresh produce, meat and unpasteurised milk.
Dhlomo says it's advisable to ensure high levels of hygiene when preparing food - by washing all fruits and vegetables and storing meat at adequate temperatures.
"We do advise that every other person - especially pregnant woman. When they get flue - we must make sure that we exclude as it's even treatable by penicillin
Those most at risk also include newborns, the elderly and those with weak immune systems.
Jane Linley-Thomas has spoken to Dr Juno Thomas, Head of The Centre for Enteric Diseases at National Institute of Communicable Diseases about the recent outbreak of listeriosis. Listen below.