Listeriosis prevention hindered by poor record-keeping in Gauteng hospitals
10 January 2018
Gauteng is the epicenter of the Listeriosis outbreak but poor record-keeping at hospitals and clinics is hindering prevention and treatment because many of those infected cannot be contacted or traced.
According to Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, the number of listeriosis confirmed by lab testing has increased from 557 in early December to 727 cases, of which 443 (61%) are from Gauteng.
But only 134 of these confirmed cases have been traced, which highlights the problem that patients often cannot be traced because their contact details have not been accurately recorded in hospitals and clinics.
Another problem is that false addresses are sometimes given, particularly by foreign patients.