Health:
- With reference to the outbreak of listeriosis, (a) what is the confirmed number of (i) infections and (ii) deaths per area in the province and (b) what interventions are being implemented by her Department to ensure that there is no further spread of this bacteria;
- whether her Department is informing patients and the wider community about listeriosis and which symptoms to look out for; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
1 (a) As at 29 March 2018, there were 123 confirmed cases since 1 January 2017:
|
Cape Winelands |
9 |
|
Eden |
9 |
|
Metro |
100 |
|
Overberg |
1 |
|
West Coast |
4 |
|
Grand Total |
123 |
During this period there were 29 deaths recorded
|
Cape Winelands |
4 |
|
Eden |
2 |
|
Metro |
21 |
|
Overberg |
1 |
|
West Coast |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
29 |
(b) The outbreak and recalling of affected food items is managed by the National Department along with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the National Food Control. The Provincial Departments are not involved in this process but in the Western Cape we have removed all affected food items off our menus in hospitals.
2. The National Department of Health was the lead department in public communication. The Western Cape Department of Health had various media articles around listeriosis and its symptoms. Additional to this we also have several communications on social media and flyers were distributed within health facilities.
