Update
GARDEN ROUTE NEW S- The number of listeriosis infections in the Western Cape area is growing all the time, with more than 100 cases – second only to Gauteng.
As of the end of February 2018, a total of eight laboratory-confirmed listeriosis cases have been reported in Eden, of which two were fatal.
Charlene Lawrence of the provincial health department confirmed that an 83-year-old Knysna man died and a 53-year-old George woman.
The Knysna death occurred in October 2017 while the female George resident died in August 2017.
Details of the six confirmed cases have not been disclosed.
Largest documented outbreak in the world
Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi said South Africa was experiencing its largest documented outbreak while at the same time a spokesman from the World Health Organisation said the number of cases in South Africa is the biggest outbreak of the disease on record in the world.
"As of 16 January 2018, a total of 767 laboratory-confirmed listeriosis cases have been reported in the country, of which 101 was confirmed in the Western Cape," said health department spokesperson Nadine Ferreira this week.
"The cases are spread across the district and not contained to only one small geographical area," she said.
The Nelson Mandela Bay area has reported nine laboratory-confirmed cases, with one fatality.
Ferreira did, however, give as much information as she could about the potentially fatal illness.
"Good hygiene, especially when preparing food, is important to minimise the risk of contracting this disease."
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