Foodborne listeriosis outbreaks, which occurred in the past 10 years, have raised new questions in listeriosis epidemiology. The renewed interest in listeriosis and Listeria monocytogenes has resulted in various efforts, which enormously enriched the knowledge about his relatively rare, but because of the high mortality rate, important infectious disease as well as about its causative agent. New data concerning epidemiology and therapy of human listeriosis as well as new experience with Listeria monocytogenes regarding virulence, typing, isolation, identification, occurrence in food and environment, behaviour towards disinfectants etc. have changed the view of human listeriosis prevention. The new aspects are summarized in this review.