Toll from listeriosis outbreak jumps to 172
Listeriosis in South Africa has killed 172 people since the start of last year, officials said Thursday, as the country struggles to contain the world's largest reported outbreak of the disease.
Listeriosis is caused by a natural bacteria found in soil, water, vegetation and animal faeces, and can contaminate food especially meat, dairy, seafood and fresh produce.
It is prevented by basic hygiene and washing food, but South African authorities admit the source of the worsening outbreak is still not unknown.
The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) said 915 cases of listeriosis had been confirmed since January 1 2017, leading to 172 deaths.
The new toll was a sharp jump on the 61 deaths confirmed by early last month.
The United Nations has said South Africa's listeriosis outbreak is believed to be the largest-ever worldwide.
The disease mainly affects children and has a three-week incubation period, making it difficult to track.
Most of the current cases have been in Gauteng province, which includes the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Head of the Centre for Enteric Diseases, Dr Juno Thomas says the source of the outbreak remains unknown.