Bounty

Those who live in poverty, particularly members of ethnic minorities, have a higher chance of being infected with the listeria bacteria when they are pregnant than any other group, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has said.

A total of 1,510 cases of listeria were recorded across England and Wales in 2001-08. Of these cases, 181 involved pregnant women and 40% of those were from an ethnic minority group, according to the agency.

Other figures relating to 2001-07 showed that the prevalence of listeria, which causes a severe infection known as listeriosis, was higher in the poorest parts of England, compared with the richest areas.

People living in the most impoverished areas apparently make more use of local shops and are therefore more prone to be infected by listeria. Some research also claims that produce from smaller shops is more likely to be contaminated because their owners apparently have less expertise in food safety.

Iain Gillespie, in charge of listeria surveillance for the agency, said: "The first HPA study suggests that these food safety messages may not be reaching or may not be heeded by all pregnant women, particularly those from ethnic minorities. The second suggests that deprivation is an important risk factor for listeriosis, especially in older people and in pregnant women."

Copyright Press Association 2010