Cases of listeria in over-60s rising
07 November 2007
 The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has begun investigating listeria food poisoning after research showed an 80 per cent increase in cases of listeriosis. Previously pregnant women and unborn children were considered most a risk from the deadly form of food poisoning, but more than two thirds of cases are now shown to be in the over-60s.The bacteria, found in soft mould ripened cheeses, pates, and raw meat and fish, causes about 125 deaths each year, a quarter of all deaths caused by food poisoning. Mild symptoms include 'flu-like aches and pains but people with weak immune systems can become seriously ill, according to the Health Protection Agency.FSA chief scientist Dr Andrew Wadge said that the agency would begin researching why the profile of listeria incidents had changed. "While healthy people are not usually at any risk of illness from any increase in number of reported cases is a concern," he added.The project is set to begin later in the year and findings will be passed on to the Independent Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food.  © Adfero Ltd
© 2008 Adfero Ltd. All rights reserved. Any views and opinions expressed in news articles are not those of Craegmoor Limited and its associated companies. News supplied by Adfero DirectNews.
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