Health officials in South Africa announced that they have confirmed the source of the listerioisis outbreak, that as of the end of February, 945 cases and 176 deaths have been reported since Jan. 2017.

Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said the source has been traced to a food facility in Polokwane.

“The source of the present Listeriosis outbreak has been traced to the Enterprise factory in Polokwane and it tested positive for ST6 strain. Another factory is a factory in Sasolburg, Free State where polony tested positive for Listeria, but the strain is unconfirmed, he said.

“A total of 93 people which is 85 per cent of those infected who were interviewed by the NICD report to have had polony and other cold meats.”

This has prompted health officials to call on South Africans to avoid all cold meat products such as Viennas, frankfurters, sausages. Pregnant women,people living with HIV/other diseases which compromise immune systems are urged to stay away from these products.