The media is finally catching on to the outbreak of Listeriosis associated with cantaloupes that commenced on July 31, 2011.  As of September 26, CDC reports that there have been a total of 72 persons from 18 states infected with the four outbreak-associated strains of Listeria monocytogenes.  There have also been 13 deaths.  Fortunately for us, no cases have been reported in Ohio.

So what is Listeria monocytogenes, what are the symptoms, and why can it be so dangerous? Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium.  It is commonly found in soil and water and typically infects foods of animal origin like meats and dairy products.  The bacteria can be easily killed by cooking and pasteurization, but there are a lot of processed and raw foods where Listeria will thrive.  Particular food favorites include deli meats, hot dogs, raw milk and cheeses.  It’s unusual for produce to be a source of an outbreak but it has happened in the past.  Looking at past stats, on average from 1998-2008, there have been 2.4 outbreaks per year reported to CDC. The largest outbreak occurred in 2002, when 54 illnesses, 8 deaths, and 3 fetal deaths in 9 states were found to be associated with consumption of contaminated turkey deli meat. Now the current outbreak seems to be associated with contaminated cantaloupes from a particular farm in Colorado.

Listeriosis can affect anybody eating contaminated product but the most susceptible are older adults, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. Usually symptoms will be mild like fever, myalgias, diarrhea and other GI complaints.  However, for the elderly and the immunocompromised there can be septicemia and meningoencephalitis.  For the pregnant female, manifestations can include miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or neonatal sepsis.

The key to not getting Listeriosis is prevention.  Rinse raw produce, such as fruits and vegetables, thoroughly under running tap water before eating. Dry the produce with a clean cloth or paper towel before cutting them up.  Thoroughly cook raw meat and poultry.  Heat hot dogs, deli meats, and cold cuts until they are steaming hot just before serving.  Avoid drinking raw (unpasteurized) milk.  Also don’t eat fresh soft cheeses that have unpasteurized milk in them, like queso fresco.  Finally, how many of us check the temperatures of th refrigerator?  Make sure that your refrigerator is at or below 40 degrees F and your freezer is at or below 0 degrees F.  Use a refrigerator thermometer for accuracy.

However, should a person contract the disease, the mainstay therapy continues to be antibiotics like ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and gentamicin.

Source:  CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/listeria/outbreaks/cantaloupes-jensen-farms/092711/index.html)

CDC recently published “School Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity”
as a MMWR report.  The importance of this
report is best-illustrated by the following data:

* During 2007–2008, 20% of U.S. children
(6–11 years of age) and 18% of persons (12–19 years of age) were obese; these
stats are three times greater than what they were in 1980;

* In a community-based sample of obese
children aged 5–17 years, 70% had at least one cardiovascular risk factor, such
as a high cholesterol or triglyceride level, high blood pressure, or high
insulin level;  another 39% had two or
more risk factors;

* Overweight and obesity are associated
with increased risk for numerous types of cancer, including cancer of the
breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid,
ovary, cervix, prostate, multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma

* Sixteen percent of persons in the
12–19 years-of-age category and 30% of obese persons aged 12–19 years had
prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for
development of diabetes;

The new guidelines in this report
synthesize the scientific evidence and best practices during 1995–2009 and
combine healthy eating and physical activity into one set of evidence-based
guidelines for schools serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade
(grades K–12).

Here is the report’s summary:

 “During the last 3 decades, the prevalence of obesity has tripled
among persons aged 6–19 years. Multiple chronic disease risk factors, such as
high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and high blood glucose levels are
related to obesity. Schools have a responsibility to help prevent obesity and
promote physical activity and healthy eating through policies, practices, and
supportive environments.

This report
describes school health guidelines for promoting healthy eating and physical
activity, including coordination of school policies and practices; supportive
environments; school nutrition services; physical education and physical
activity programs; health education; health, mental health, and social
services; family and community involvement; school employee wellness; and
professional development for school staff members. These guidelines, developed
in collaboration with specialists from universities and from national, federal,
state, local, and voluntary agencies and organizations, are based on an
in-depth review of research, theory, and best practices in healthy eating and
physical activity promotion in school health, public health, and education.
Because every guideline might not be appropriate or feasible for every school
to implement, individual schools should determine which guidelines have the
highest priority based on the needs of the school and available resources.”

It might be worthwhile to find out if your child’s school system has
reviewed this report and what, if any, of the recommendations they have adopted
or intend to adopt.

Citation:  Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. School Health Guidelines to Promote Healthy Eating and Physical Activity.
MMWR 2011; 60(No. RR-5):1-80.

Access to the full
report:  http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6005a1.htm?s_cid=rr6005a1_x

Since the H1N1 pandemic, this blog has been evolving.  It began as a readiness and response site for H1N1 and then expanded into a general information site regarding seasonal influenza.  While that worked for a time, events here and abroad indicated that this site can provide myriad discussion points on more than just the comings and goings of the mischievous influenza virus.

As an example, the last posting presented material related to the nuclear incident at Fukushima and how potassium iodide fits into the scheme of things.

Now, under the guidance and leadership of Professor Sheryl Milz, Chair of UT’s Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, this site will explore and present up-to-the-minute data and information on all aspects of medicine affecting your health, the health of the UT community and of our region.

So, right now, the big news of the day is the announcement by the USDA that its Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is taking more aggressive steps to ensure the safety of raw ground beef.   Besides E. coli O157:H7, it will seek out and ban any such meat that contains the following E. coli serotypes:  O26, O103, O45, O111, O121 and O145.  They too can cause severe illness and death, especially in the very young, the elderly, and the immuncompromised.

The testing and the enforcement will begin early next year.   The FDA and the Obama administration are happy with the announcement.  Will the cost of hamburger rise?  Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, as for this blog, its title will change, the authors will vary, and you won’t have to see my golden locks anymore.