Listeriosis, a foodborne infection

Ice cream from a plant was contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, causing illness and deaths. Listeriosis is a foodborne illness caused by this bacteria, present in raw and processed foods. Symptoms include fever, chills, and upset stomach. Treatment involves antibiotics. Pregnant women, older adults, and those with weak immune systems are most at risk.

Ice cream from an ice cream plant may have been contaminated with a bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes. Although few people have been affected, at least 3 deaths have been connected to this infection.

What is Listeria?

Listeriosis is a foodborne illness caused by Listeria monocytogenes, bacteria found in soil and water. It can be in a variety of raw foods as well as in processed foods and foods made from unpasteurized milk. Listeria is unlike many other germs because it can grow even in the cold temperature of the refrigerator.

This illustration depicts a three-dimensional (3D), computer-generated image of a grouping of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The artistic recreation was based upon scanning electron microscopic (SEM) imagery.Illustrator: Jennifer Oosthuizen, from the CDC, public domain

Symptoms include fever and chills, headache, upset stomach and vomiting. Treatment is with antibiotics.

Anyone can get the illness. But it is most likely to affect pregnant women and unborn babies, older adults, and people with weak immune systems. To reduce your risk:

  • Use precooked and ready-to-eat foods as soon as you can
  • Avoid raw milk and raw milk products
  • Heat ready-to-eat foods and leftovers until they are steaming hot
  • Wash fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Avoid rare meat and refrigerated smoked seafood

Exploring the HEART of Health

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Sharing the HEART of health in Panama

I have volunteered on several teams with CompassionLink, an organization that serves to provide

HEALTH RESTORED-HOPE SUSTAINED.

updated September 10, 2023

One of the privileges of being a healthcare professional is traveling to other countries to provide care to local people. I have volunteered on several teams with CompassionLink, an organization whose goal is

equip communities to create healthy families and individuals–spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Our team provided medical consultations, medicines, dental care, and vision exams for eyeglasses.

two health care professionals, one in a native costume
Dr. Aletha with a local healthcare worker
a makeshift pharmacy at a rural clinic
our team pharmacy
a man making faces at a little girl
Jacob, a nurse, entertaining children (he is now a physician)

Visiting the famous Panama Canal

One of the pleasures of traveling is when our hosts express their appreciation by showing us the local sites and culture. In Panama, of course, that meant a visit to the Panama Canal, an engineering marvel.

The people and landscape of Panama are also captivating. Add to that a warm and usually sunny climate, made for an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Miraflores Lockes-Panama Canal
Panama Canal ship
The Panama Canal is an amazing feat of human ingenuity.




cows in a pasture
dancing ladies in native dresses of Panama

enjoying a dance performance at our last group dinner before heading home

How you can share the HEART of health with Compassion

CompassionLink welcomes volunteers for their projects on either short or long-term assignments.

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Exploring the HEART of health

Thanks for exploring Panama and the HEART of health with me. Please share this post and follow Watercress Words. I appreciate your interest and welcome your comments about this post or just to say hello.

                  Dr Aletha and Raymond  
Raymond and Dr. Aletha standing at the Panama Canal