Listeria monocytogenes outbreak

Final Update:  December 10, 2008

The Public Health Agency of Canada is posting its final update on the recent listeriosis outbreak linked to Maple Leaf meat products. 

The contaminated products were taken off store shelves in August, the incubation period for the illness has passed, and no new cases of listeriosis associated with the outbreak have occurred in over two months.

The following table indicates the number of confirmed cases and deaths caused by the outbreak strain broken down by province.  

Province	Confirmed Cases	Deaths where Listeriosis was the underlying or contributing cause*
Ontario	41	15
BC	5	2
Alberta	2	1
Saskatchewan	2	0
Manitoba	1	0
Quebec	4	1
New Brunswick	1	1
Total	56	20

*As recorded on death certificate or as assessed by attending physician

There are between 100 and 140 cases of listeriosis reported in Canada each year.  For most people, the risk posed by Listeria is very low.  Healthy people who are exposed to Listeria are rarely affected by the bacteria.  However, there are certain people who are at higher risk for listeriosis – infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

We recommend that those at greater risk take precautionary measures when preparing food by avoiding unpasteurized milk and dairy products, and ensuring that raw vegetables are washed thoroughly before they are eaten.  For more information on how to prepare food safely, visit here.