Not that common as a clinical disease, probably quite common in its
subclinical and non-dangerous form.  However, it is often lethal to fetuses
and newborns, so even as an uncommon disease, it's worth being aware of.
It's been at the fore here lately since a small independent dairy which made
a local soft cheese had to close after several patients were served this
cheese at our national hospital, became ill, and some even died.  One
pregnant woman was among those affected; she was scarcely ill herself but
lost the twins she was carrying when they were stillborn as a result of her
Listeria infection.  Since she was hospitalized for something having to do
with her pregnancy it was especially awful that the very food served her in
hospital was the cause of her loss.

It is extremely easy to avoid this food borne infection.  I don't think it
is out of line for people to be warned about it.  It's possible that some
unexplained cases of fetal demise are actually listeria - who's been looking
for that as a cause, anyway?   If a pregnant woman can't live without eating
lox, she can cook it first.  There isn't any good reason to take chances,
IMO.  

Rachel Myr
Who had strong cravings for both smoked salmon and gravlax in her last
pregnancy, and ate them frequently, but who would avoid them today, knowing
what I know now.

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome