Unwashed Salad Leads to Severe Listeriosis Case: 57-Year-Old Man in Critical Condition in Lviv

Patient's Condition Worsens After Listeria Diagnosis

According to Главком: A 57-year-old man from the Drohobych district is currently receiving treatment at the Lviv Regional Infectious Diseases Hospital, diagnosed with listerial meningoencephalitis. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The patient was admitted approximately two weeks ago with initial symptoms of high fever and a sore throat, initially suspected to be influenza or pneumonia. However, his condition deteriorated, leading to a transfer to the intensive care unit.

Diagnosis and Treatment Approach

According to medical staff, a lumbar puncture and cultures of cerebrospinal fluid and blood were performed to confirm the diagnosis.

“He was admitted with suspected flu and pneumonia, but after a thorough examination, we saw that this was a brain disease-meningoencephalitis. Due to the worsening condition, the patient was moved to intensive care, where we performed a lumbar puncture and cultured the cerebrospinal fluid and blood. It later became clear that the pathogen would be unusual, not trivial,”

stated Tamila Aleksanyan, a physician in the infectious disease department.

The patient remains in serious condition, though doctors report significant improvement. After stabilization, he was moved out of intensive care, but treatment continues. A follow-up puncture and analysis of spinal fluid are scheduled. Listeriosis is a severe foodborne infectious disease that can lead to disability and carries a high risk of fatality. Mortality rates for invasive forms of this disease can reach as high as 30%.

The source of infection has not yet been identified. It is known that the man had been vacationing at a resort and eating meals outside his home before falling ill. The bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is primarily transmitted through contaminated food, particularly unwashed vegetables and salad mixes.

“Such pathogens are mainly transmitted through the consumption of contaminated products. In Europe, for example, outbreaks have been described after eating packaged salad leaves that supposedly do not need washing. In reality, they must always be washed under running water, even if the packaging claims they are pre-washed,”

the doctor added.

Listeriosis is one of the most serious foodborne infections. Although cases are rare according to the WHO, they pose a significant threat. In severe instances, the infection can cause sepsis, meningitis, or meningoencephalitis. Previously, Lviv also recorded a case of dengue fever, and in February 2026, an outbreak of acute intestinal infection occurred after dining at an entertainment venue, resulting in over ten children being hospitalized.

The listeriosis situation in Ukraine highlights the critical importance of adhering to hygiene rules during food preparation and consumption, especially amid infectious disease outbreaks. Since Listeria monocytogenes can be present in food products, attention to food safety can reduce the risk of infection. Public awareness of prevention methods and timely medical consultation upon symptom onset are also essential.

As concerns over food safety continue to rise, another alarming incident has emerged in Lviv, where a doctor tragically lost his life after consuming a salad made from toxic plants. This underscores the critical importance of identifying safe food sources and being vigilant about what we eat. To learn more about this shocking case and the implications for public health, read about the deadly salad incident in Lviv.