Cost estimation of listeriosis (Listeria monocytogenes) occurrence in South Africa in 2017 and its food safety implications

Publication date: Available online 12 February 2019Source: Food ControlAuthor(s): Ocen M. Olanya, Aaron K. Hoshide, Oluwatosin A. Ijabadeniyi, Dike O. Ukuku, Sudarsan Mukhopadhyay, Brendan A. Niemira, Olasunkanmi AyeniAbstractPeriodic outbreaks of foodborne pathogens have resulted in food safety concerns, due to health implications and cost consequences. Occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes in foods and listeriosis have been reported in developed countries; however, documentation of listeriosis in South Africa is limited. In 2017–2018, Listeria was reported on polony (processed deli meat) and listeriosis was observed in South Africa (L. monocytogenes sequence type 6 (ST-6) was identified as the causal agent for listeriosis). Due to its potential effects, we conducted cost estimates to assess the implications of listeriosis outbreak with respect to illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths, and productivity losses. Cost estimates were computed on publicly available data by using USDA-ERS cost computation model for Listeria. Listeriosis had significant impacts, as mortality of 204 individuals with confirmed listeriosis cases was reported, with infants having the highest percent of fatalities (42%). The cost valuation of fatality cases was over US$ 260 million. Hospitalization costs associated with one-month recovery from listeriosis were estimated at US$ 10.4 million. Productivity losses attributed to listeriosis for humans and export value losses for food processors were in exc...
Source: Food Control - Category: Food Science Source Type: research