Listeriosis surveillance in Australia

Listeriosis is a foodborne disease that can cause severe illness manifesting as gastroenteritis or invasive disease. While it accounts for a fraction of all notified foodborne illness in New South Wales, all cases are hospitalised and outcomes are potentially serious. Listeriosis follows ingestion of the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, found in soil, water and decaying vegetation, and commonly present on the surface of unwashed vegetables and in some processed foods. Food manufacturers are required to manage L. monocytogenes within production facilities. The majority of infections can therefore be prevented with good food hygiene practices, and by people at risk of listeriosis avoiding potentially contaminated foods.