THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC-HEALTH LABORATORY SERVICE IN ENGLAND AND WALESIN THE INVESTIGATION OF HUMAN LISTERIOSIS DURING THE 1980S AND 1990S

The unprecedented interest in Listeria in the 1980s led to an increase in awareness of both the presence and the properties of Listeria amon gst all those who produce, distribute and consume foods in the UK, and the purpose of this paper is to outline some of our experience in the Public Health Laboratory Service with this subject. Data are presente d showing both a reduction in the numbers of cases of human listeriosi s after an upsurge during 1987-89 (which may have been associated with the consumption of pate), and a general reduction in the contaminatio n of soft cheese and pate by L. monocytogenes. In addition, responses to the contamination of foods by L. monocytogenes are discussed. Copyr ight (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.