According to the NICD, Aas of 26 March 2018, a total of 982 laboratory-confirmed listeriosis cases have been reported to NICD since 01 January 2017 (Figure 1). Most cases have been reported from Gauteng Province (59%, 576/982) followed by Western Cape (12%, 121/982) and KwaZulu-Natal (7%, 71/982) provinces. Cases have been diagnosed in both public (65%, 634/982) and private (35%, 348/982) healthcare sectors.Listeria monocytogenes was most commonly isolated/detected on blood culture (72%, 711/982), followed by CSF (21%, 207/982). Where age was reported (n=943), ages range from birth to 93 years (median 22 years) and 41% (404/982) are neonates aged ≤28 days (Figure 2). Of neonatal cases, 96% (389/404) had early-onset disease (birth to ≤6 days). Females account for 56% (531/950) of cases where gender is reported. Final outcome data is available for 70% (687/982) of cases, of which 28% (189/687) died.

The recall of polony has turned the tide on illnesses.

But, what about the victims, where are their stories?