§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of listeriosis were recorded in each of the past five years; and what were the main causes. [18918]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe number of cases of systemic listeriosis reported to the public health laboratory service in England and Wales in the last five years is as follows:
- 1990: 115
- 1991: 127
- 1992: 106
- 1993: 102
- 1994: 115
The main cause of infection in these cases is unknown.
The report of the World Health Organisation informal working group on foodborne listeriosis, concluded that the primary means of transmission of listeria monocytogenes to humans is through contamination of foodstuffs. Copies of the report will be placed in the Library.