What is listeria? Bacteria warning as food poisoning illness currently under investigation

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A warning has been issued in light of a food poisoning outbreak. Cases of listeria monocytogenes - a bacteria that can cause the illness listeriosis - have been linked to smoked fish including salmon.

The outbreak is currently being investigated by the UK Health Security Agency, Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland.A total of six cases of listeriosis have been found since January this year across England and Scotland - including one case in a pregnant woman.

The illness can cause vomiting and diarrhoea and can be dangerous for elderly, vulnerable and pregnant woman.Listeriosis can lead to miscarriage and even stillbirth in severe cases.The bacteria is widespread in the environment and can contaminate a range of food at low or standard refrigeration temperatures.It can be destroyed by thorough cooking.It is of most concern in chilled, ready to eat foods that do not require further cooking, such as smoked fish.Food Standards Agency head of incidents, Tina Potter, said: "Due to an outbreak of listeria monocytogenes linked to smoked fish, we are reminding people who are vulnerable to listeria infection - including people who are pregnant and people with weakened immune systems - of the risks in consuming smoked fish and asking them to make sure that the smoked fish is always thoroughly cooked including when served as part of a dish before they eat it."We are working closely with UK partners across government to ensure that this advice is as clear as possible - members of the public do not need to avoid these products, but should ensure risks are reduced as far as possible."You can do this by keeping chilled ready-to-eat smoked fish cold (5?C or below), always using products by their use-by date, following the