Listeriosis is an illness caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes that is acquired by eating contaminated food. The organism can spread to the blood stream and central nervous system. During pregnancy, listeriosis often causes miscarriage or stillbirth.

Listeriosis is caused by an infection with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. This bacteria can be carried by many animals and birds, and it has been found in soil, water, sewage, and animal feed. Five out of every 100 people carry Listeria monocytogenes in their intestines. Listeriosis is considered a "food-borne illness" because most people are probably infected after eating food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. However, a woman can pass the bacteria to her baby during pregnancy. In addition, there have been a few cases where workers have developed Listeria skin infections by touching infected calves or poultry.

In the 1980s, the United States government began taking measures to decrease the occurrence of...