Listeria infection early in pregnancy can result in a miscarriage. Later, infection can result in early labour followed by a stillbirth or delivery of a premature baby. Most liveborn babies with listeria infection will show signs of infection at delivery or shortly afterwards. Antibiotics can be given to both mother and newborn baby to treat listeria. The rest survived with antibiotic treatment.
Listeria is found in soil and can contaminate food such as vegetables, meat chicken and milk.
Listeria can multiply slowly in refrigerated foods. The bacteria are killed by thorough cooking. Certain foods are more likely than others to contain listeria. Freshly prepared foods and adequately cooked foods are safest. I felt many important points were explained in the article by Dr Halasz, but many also omitted.