The bacterium Listeria monocytogenes causes infection to both humans and animals of different species that, in addition to suffering from the infection, can act as a reservoir of the infection favoring the distribution of the bacteria in the territory where they are settled and even at water sources. Animals can be infected by eating contaminated meat, but also by direct contact with the bacteria present in the environment.
Due to the extreme closeness with the population, dogs and cats have a special importance since if they suffer an infection and digestive clinical symptoms (diarrhea) they will produce through the depositions a contamination of the home in which they reside, favoring the transmission of Infection to vulnerable people. For this reason, direct contact or intake of any contaminated material should be avoided.
Given the alarming increase in suspected cases of listeriosis, from CEVE we want to highlight the role of veterinary health centers as part of a comprehensive strategy for the treatment of this outbreak and express our concern about the fate of the remains of contaminated meat.
Therefore, we make a general appeal for citizens who are in possession of potentially contaminated waste to dispose of it safely or deliver it to the health authorities so that it can proceed to its hygienic destruction and for those who have animals that have been in Contact with potentially contaminated waste, or that have symptoms of illness, immediately contact your veterinary health center, where they will receive the advice and specialized care they require.