Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak

Update: August 25, 2008

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is collaborating with provincial and local health authorities in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to investigate an increase in cases of listeriosis with the same genetic fingerprint (strain).

To date, there have been 26 confirmed cases of the outbreak strain of listeria. Of the 26 confirmed cases, there are 12 deaths associated with the outbreak strain (11 in Ontario and one in B.C.). Six of these deaths, reported from Ontario, have linked listeriosis as the underlying or contributing cause of death. In the remaining deaths, the role that listeriosis may have played remains under investigation. It is important to note that the numbers reflect deaths that have occurred over the past several weeks.

Additionally, there are 29 suspected cases that are under investigation to determine if there is a link to the outbreak strain of listeriosis. It is important to note that all the suspect cases have been diagnosed with listeriosis, but we can only determine through laboratory testing (genetic fingerprinting) if they are directly linked to the outbreak strain.

PHAC expects that both the numbers of suspected and confirmed cases will increase as this investigation continues and samples continue to be received from provincial, territorial and federal partners. This combined with the fact that listeria has a long incubation period means that new cases of this outbreak strain will continue to appear over the coming days and weeks.

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 – the very young, the very old, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

People from these at-risk groups who may have eaten contaminated products and have experienced symptoms, such as persistent fever, severe headaches, neck stiffness, nausea and vomiting, should consult their health care provider.

We recommend that those at greater risk take precautionary measures when preparing food by avoiding the recalled products, avoiding raw, unpasteurized milk and dairy products, and ensuring that raw vegetables are washed thoroughly before they are eaten.

Media Enquiries:

Public Health Agency of Canada
Michael Tansey, Media Relations
(613) 957-1788

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media Relations
(613) 228-6682

PHAC Statement on a Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak

Released: August 23, 2008

The Public Health Agency of Canada is collaborating with provincial and local health authorities in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to investigate an increase in cases of listeriosis with the same genetic fingerprint (strain).

To date, there are 21 confirmed cases of the outbreak strain of listeriosis in four provinces (16 in Ontario, three in BC, one in Saskatchewan and one in Quebec). Three deaths in Ontario, and one death* in British Columbia have been attributed to this strain. * outbreak listeriosis strain was present however it may not have been cause of death

Additionally there are 30 suspected cases under investigation. (14 in Ontario, two in BC, two in Saskatchewan, four in Alberta and eight in Quebec.) These cases are positive for listeriosis, but genetic fingerprinting results are required before they can be determined to be linked to the outbreak strain.

The Public Health Agency of Canada is working with its partners to confirm the source of these infections. This includes gathering epidemiological information from ill individuals and assessing results of food testing. Ready-to-eat meat products are being investigated as a possible source. For information regarding recalled products, please see the CFIA website: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2008/20080819e.shtml

Listeria monocytogenes can be found in a variety of dairy products, vegetables, fish and meat products. The disease affects primarily older individuals, pregnant women, newborns, and adults with weakened immune systems. A person with listeriosis may experience fever, muscle aches, and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. Deaths are uncommon, except in the very young, the very old, or people with weakened immune systems. People who believe they have experienced symptoms of illness are urged to contact their health care provider.