Abstract:
In African public health systems, Listeria monocytogenes is a pathogen of relatively low priority. Yet, the
biggest listeriosis outbreak recorded to date occurred in Africa in 2018. This review highlights the factors
that potentially impact L. monocytogenes transmission risks through African food value chains (FVCs).
With the high rate of urbanisation, African FVCs have become spatially longer yet still informal. At the
same time, dietary diversifications have resulted in increased consumption of processed ready-to-eat (RTE)
meat, poultry, fishery and dairy products typically associated with a higher risk of L. monocytogenes consumer
exposure. With frequent cold chain challenges, the potential of L. monocytogenes growth in contaminated
RTE foods can further amplify consumer exposure risks. Moreover, the high prevalence of untreated
HIV infections, endemic anaemia, high fertility rate and a gradually increasing proportion of elderly persons
expands the fraction of listeriosis-susceptible groups among African populations. With already warmer
tropical conditions, the projected climate change-induced increases in ambient temperatures are likely to
exacerbate listeriosis risks in Africa. As precautionary approaches, African countries should implement systems
for the detection and reporting of listeriosis cases and food safety regulations that provide
L. monocytogenes standards and limits in high-risk RTE foods.
