SA: Two dead from food poisoning in SA hospitals

AAP General News (Australia)
12-09-2005
SA: Two dead from food poisoning in SA hospitals

ADELAIDE, Dec 9 AAP - Two people are dead and two are recovering on antibiotics after
an outbreak of food poisoning in South Australia.

Health authorities said all four had Listeria, a serious infection caused by eating
food contaminated with the bacterium Listeria Monocytogenes.

However, health department communicable disease director Rod Givney said three of the
four were already sick and had low immune systems.

Dr Givney said it was yet to be determined what part Listeria played in the two deaths,
both in hospital patients aged between 50 and 70.

One was believed to be a severe diabetic and the other terminally ill with cancer.

"They were already sick with low immune systems but the Listeria was also detected,"

Dr Givney said.

"While Listeria infection is uncommon and generally causes no symptoms in healthy people,
it can be very dangerous for people in high risk groups."

Dr Givney said the bacteria was widely found in nature and may be present in raw foods
or contamination may occur following cooking or processing.

Thorough cooking to 75 degrees celsius destroys the Listeria bacteria.

Those people most at risk include pregnant women, people aged over 65, people with
weakened immune systems including those with cancer, AIDS or diabetes and anyone taking
medication that can suppress their immune system.

Dr Givney said one of the patients recovering on antibiotics was in hospital and the
other at home.

Health officials are now testing food from the hospitals where the patients were being
treated and from their private homes.

More than one source of the poisoning was suspected.

Dr Givney said it appeared some of the victims acquired the Listeria infection in hospital
and some in the community.

AAP tjd/cjh

KEYWORD: LISTERIA DAYLEAD

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