Listeria Warning for Cancer Patients

A new report published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases has warned cancer patients that they are at an increased risk of suffering from a food borne disease known as listeria. Listeria is a rare illness caused by bacterium known as listeria monocytogenes. These bacterium are usually found in soil, plant or food. While listeria is a rare disease, it is highly fatal with recent stats suggesting a fatality rate of more than 25 percent.

Nearly 1500 people suffering from the disease were analyzed by researchers from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) who found that the risk of the disease was five times higher among cancer patients.

Says Dr Bob Adak, from HPA's gastrointestinal diseases department, “Our research has shown that those receiving cancer treatment or suffering from a variety of conditions, including diabetes, kidney or liver disease, should be offered appropriate health advice on how to avoid listeria.”


Source-Medindia