Authorities warn pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems after three people die from listeria in Denmark

According to a report published earlier today by Danish Radio, a total of three people have died in connection with a listeria outbreak in the capital region. The State Serum Institute is working diligently to identify the source of the infection, as an unusual outbreak of listeria bacteria has recently struck the capital, according to the same source.

In May, 15 cases of listeria were recorded, where an average of four cases are usually recorded per month, according to the State Serum Institute. Three elderly patients also died within 30 days after testing positive.

“It is unusual to see a Listeria outbreak in Denmark with so many cases in such a short period of time,” wrote Louise Müller, an epidemiologist at the State Serum Institute, in a written response to the source. “…This suggests that there is food in the market that is heavily contaminated with Listeria bacteria. We are therefore working under high pressure to find the source of the infection, so that we can prevent more people from becoming infected.”.

Listeria is a disease caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The bacteria thrive particularly well in raw or lightly processed (cooked) foods, as well as those past their expiration date.

Those at particular risk of contracting the disease are the elderly, pregnant women, or people with weakened immune systems.

People with weakened immune systems or pregnant women should be as careful as possible when consuming cold cuts and cold-smoked fish.

Denmark has experienced several outbreaks of the deadly Listeria virus in the past.
In 2014, 17 people died, and a significant portion of these deaths were linked to a specific sausage product. That same year, authorities concluded that three deaths among patients at Odense Hospital were likely attributable to meatball soup that was not heated sufficiently, according to Ritzau.

Louise Muller said, “Current analyses at the State Serum Institute show that 8 out of 15 cases are infected with the same bacteria. The infections include five men and three women aged between 33 and 93, indicating that it is the same source of infection they contracted. Therefore, we have begun a major editorial effort with interviews with patients and food tracking to find the source of the infection.”.

The patients are primarily from the capital region, with the exception of one case from the southern Denmark region.

Health authorities advise, “Be careful with cold cuts and cold-smoked fish.”
All the patients were already ill or immunocompromised and were all transferred to the hospital.”.

The health authorities are investigating the outbreak in cooperation with the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and the DTU Food Institute.

However, people who may be in the risk group are encouraged to take precautions.

The statement said that “people with weakened immune systems or pregnant women should pay particular attention to eating cold cuts and cold-smoked fish to ensure they are as fresh as possible.”.

It is also important to ensure that the temperature in the refrigerator does not exceed 5 degrees Celsius and to avoid eating soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk, according to epidemiologist Louise Muller.