By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

In a follow-up on the listeriosis outbreak in Spain associated with the consumption of roasted pork meat, Spanish health officials report (computer translated) an additional 29 cases, bringing the total to 204.

Image/CDC

Andalusia, in southern Spain has reported the bulk of the cases with 197, with most of the cases in this community reported from Seville (162).

Of the patients confirmed in Andalusia, 58 percent presented symptoms compatible with acute gastroenteritis, 47% presented with fever, 10% (19) developed meningeal forms and four patients had sepsis.

Three fatalities have been reported to date–two people over 70 with serious comorbidities and a person over 90 years old.

In the rest of the Autonomous Communities, 4 laboratory confirmed cases have been registered (1
in Aragón, 1 in Castilla y León, 1 in Extremadura and 1 pregnant woman of 8 weeks in Madrid who lost the baby) and 3 cases confirmed by epidemiological link (1 in Extremadura and 2 in Aragon).

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In addition, 66 probable cases and 58 suspects have been reported in Aragón, Asturias, Canary Islands, Castile and León, Castilla La Mancha, Catalonia, Community Valenciana, Extremadura, Madrid and Melilla.

In addition, a UK citizen identified in France is suspected to be associated with the same outbreak.

The implicated food source is roasted pork meat, commercialized under the brand ‘La Mechá’, produced by a company in Seville, Spain. The company has recalled all products manufactured since May 2019 and discontinued production.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.