On 5 December 2017, Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi announced that more than 30 people died following the recent outbreak of the food-borne disease listeriosis.
According to the National Centre for Communicable Diseases (NICD) approximately 557 cases have been reported, with the majority occurring in Gauteng province.
Listeria is a bacterium (Listeria monocytogenes) found in soil, water and vegetation. It can also occur in some animals, including poultry and cattle. Raw milk and other foods made from raw milk can also carry the bacteria. The disease cannot be spread through contact with infected people.
According to Janse Rabie, Head of Natural Resources at Agri SA, the recent outbreak of listeriosis emphasises the extreme vulnerability of all people when it comes to contamination of our natural resources, particularly soil and water.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), people should seek medical attention if they experience the following symptoms:
The treatment of listeriosis is usually symptomatic and depends on the severity of the disease. If infection is severe, antibiotics may be recommended. People with a compromised immune system, older adults, infants or pregnant women may require urgent medical care.
Prevention measures include:
Agri SA is committed to providing any help it may have to offer in assisting the NICD or the Department of Health in isolating and eliminating the source of the disease.
Koraal
Secretary:
Naomi Excell
E-Mail: admin@agrilimpopo.co.za
Tel : +27 (0) 15 307 2725
Tel : +27 (0) 15 307 3509
Weipe
Chairperson:
Pieter Esterhuyse
E-Mail: pieter@overvlakte.co.za
Cell: +27 (0) 83 653 4871
Loskop
Chairperson:
Danie van der Heever
E-Mail: danie@jfdfarms.co.za
Cell: +27 (0) 82 777 1246
Hoedspruit
Chairperson:
Flip Roodt
E-Mail: roodtpj@gmail.com
Cell : +27 (0) 82 493 4170
Bosveld
Chairperson
Cobus Coetzee
E-Mail: agribosveld@hotmail.com
Cell : +27 (0) 82 800 6287
Lephalale
Chairperson:
Douw Pelser
E-Mail: douw@trophysafaris.co.za
Cell : +27 (0) 82 302 3773
Agri Letaba DLU
Chairperson:
Pieter Vorster
E-mail: pieter@mahela.co.za
Cell : +27 (0) 83 259 5511
Nzelele
Chairperson:
Evert van Deventer
E-Mail: evert@maswiri.co.za
Cell: +27 (0) 78 638 4452
Ohrigstad
Chairperson:
Fritz Marx
E-Mail: OhrigstadBV@gmail.com
Cell: +27 (0) 82 946 2333
Springbokvlakte
Chairperson:
Andries Groothof
E-Mail: admin@adaja.co.za
Cell: +27 (0) 82 453 4366
Tuinplaas
Chairperson:
Karel Burger
E-Mail: burger.kr@gmail.com
Cell: +27 (0) 82 817 3967
Watervalsrivier
Alldays Boerevereniging
Chairperson:
HJ Smit
E-mail: hjsmitvervoer@gmail.com
Cell: +27 (0) 72 3979679
Linton
Chairperson
Schalk van der Walt
E-Mail: kongoms53@gmail.com
Cell: +27 (0) 83 367 6891