Why Listeria, a Less-Common Foodborne Pathogen, Is So Deadly
In the summer of 2024, a Listeria outbreak linked to a plant producing Boar’s Head deli meat products caused 59 hospitalizations and 10 deaths. The disease, caused by Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, is the third leading cause of death from a foodborne illness in the United States. Salmonella and toxoplasmosis rank first and second, respectively.
UF researcher Frederick Southwick highlights how Listeria, a resilient foodborne pathogen capable of surviving refrigeration and evading immune defenses, poses severe risks to immunocompromised individuals and pregnant people.
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