The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Food Standards Agency (FSA) are investigating five cases linked to the same strain of a listeria infection found in mousses served in hospital and care settings.
All five people suffered listeriosis between May and December last year, with the UKHSA and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) working to identify the cause.
What is Listeria?
Listeria is a bacteria which can cause the infection listeriosis, according to the NHS. It is rare and in most cases can go away on its own, however, some can become seriously ill with the infection.
Listeria can contaminate many foods, but most infections are caused by eating chilled, ready-to-eat foods, according to the NHS. This includes:
These foods do not all contain Listeria, but are at a higher risk due to how they are produced.
Symptoms of listeriosis
Listeriosis has no symptoms for most people, according to the NHS. In some cases, people may experience minor symptoms for a few days, such as:
Most people can treat listeriosis at home by resting and drinking plenty of fluids, NHS guidance says. Some may need antibiotics if they are in one of the below higher-risk categories.
Who is most at risk?
Some people have a higher risk of serious problems, particularly those who have a condition that weakens their immune system, according to the NHS. This includes:
The risk of contracting listeriosis also increases with age.
How to avoid contracting listeriosis
The NHS advises people to:
