Livestock seem to be the main reservoir of the organism and it is apparent that it can be transmitted to man in a number of ways. An important cause of human infection is cross-contamination of meat from animal faeces. The organism is highly virulent. The infective dose is very small compared to other organisms. Infection in humans can cause anything from very mild or indeed no symptoms to very severe complications, even death.
Infection is particularly dangerous for vulnerable groups such as elderly people or young children.
Rates of human infection in the UK appear to have increased in recent years, with a comparatively high level of infection in Scotland. The organism therefore poses severe challenges and questions about whether existing food safety systems are sufficiently robust. There is no single, simple approach by which the dangers it presents can be eradicated. Set out in this report are recommendations for a range of precautionary, preventive measures and proposals to help in the understanding of the organism and the management and control of outbreaks when they occur. In this respect, the quicker the process of change is initiated the sooner public confidence will be restored.