Older adults' domestic kitchen practices associated with an increased risk of listeriosis
Consumer groups with weakened immunity including older adults, people with HIV/AIDS, pregnant women and patients receiving chemotherapy are known to be at an increased risk of foodborne disease, in particular, listeriosis. Listeriosis is reportedly associated with the highest hospitalisation (<95%) and mortality rates (<41%) of foodborne pathogens in the UK. Historical surveillance data (1980s-1990s) suggest that the majority of listeriosis incidence was predominantly associated with pregnant women and 30% of incidence was associated with adults ≥60 years, whereas in recent years (since 2000) the majority of listeriosis incidence has predominantly been associated with adults ≥60 years with a threefold increase in incidence.4 Indeed, most recent data indicate that 65% of reported listeriosis cases were among adults ≥60 years. Consumer implementation of food safety practices, specifically relating to time and temperature control of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, has been recommended to reduce the risks associated with listeriosis in the home.
History
Published in
Perspectives in Public HealthPublisher
SageVersion
AM (Accepted Manuscript)Citation
Evans, E. (2016) 'Older adults' domestic kitchen practices associated with an increased risk of listeriosis', Perspectives in Public Health, 136(4), pp. 199-201Print ISSN
1757-9139Electronic ISSN
1757-9147Cardiff Met Affiliation
- Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences