Understanding Listeria and Its Impact

Listeria is an environmental bacteria primarily found in protein-based foods, which can cause illness similar to a stomach bug, characterized by symptoms like fever and nausea. The long incubation period of up to 70 days makes it difficult for individuals to trace their illness back to specific food items, complicating epidemiological investigations. The current Listeria outbreak linked to certain brands of plant-based milk has seen 20 confirmed cases across four provinces in Canada, with a notable hospitalization rate of 75% and three fatalities. This high rate of severe cases highlights the risks posed by Listeria, especially to vulnerable populations such as the elderly, pregnant women, and young children.