Outbreak of Listeriosis in South Africa Associated with Processed Meat
Juno Thomas, Nevashan Govender, Kerrigan McCarthy, Linda Erasmus, Timothy J. Doyle, Mushal Allam, Arshad Ismail, Ntsieni Ramalwa, Phuti Sekwadi, Genevie Ntshoe, Andronica M. Shonhiwa, Vivien Essel, Nomsa P. Tau, Shannon L. Smouse, Hlengiwe M. Ngomane, Bolele Disenyeng, Nicola Page, Nelesh P. Govender, Adriano Dusé, R. E. Stewart, Teena Thomas, Deon Mahoney, Mathieu Tourdjman, Olivier Disson, Pierre Thouvénot, Mylène M. Maury, Alexandre Leclercq, Marc Lecuit, Anthony M. Smith, Lucille Blumberg
Abstract
BACKGROUND: An outbreak of listeriosis was identified in South Africa in 2017. The source was unknown. METHODS: infection during the period from June 11, 2017, to April 7, 2018. RESULTS: ST6 infections. CONCLUSIONS: caused disproportionate illness among pregnant girls and women and HIV-infected persons. Whole-genome sequencing facilitated the detection of the outbreak and guided the trace-back investigations that led to the identification of the source.