Since no new cases have been reported for three months, he’s announced the end of the world’s worst listeria outbreak that killed 216 people

South African health authorities have identified a meat processing facility in the northern city of Polokwane as the source of the listeria outbreak last year.

However the cause of the bacteria, that killed 216 and sickened more than a thousand people  is still unknown

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says efforts to find the cause and to stop the outbreak of any other disease will continue even after the all-clear has been sounded.

Motsoaledi says authorities  will strengthen the system to prevent  and detect listeriosis outbreaks, including ongoing legislative reform regarding food safety.

He says about 900 health practitioners have been taken for training to be educated on the listeriosis bacteria , which found in unpasteurized milk and ready-to-eat or refrigerated foods and  attacks the central nervous system.

The Polokokwane operation identified as the source of the outbreak remains closed.

Government expects a full report from the owners by next month.

Motsoaledi department faces opposition criticism for not responding quickly enough to the listeria outbreak .

The post South Africa will fight listeria even after sounding the all clear appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.